Antiphospholipids and pregnancy--a review

The presence of antiphospholipid antibodies is associated with a clinical syndrome characterised by thrombocytopenia, recurrent arterial and venous thromboses and recurrent fetal loss. The etiology is unknown but leads to an abnormal autoimmune response. Platelet aggregation and thrombosis follow. The mainstay of treatment is low dose aspirin, heparin and corticosteroids.