Original Research Article
Year: 2014 | Month: February | Volume: 4 | Issue: 2 | Pages: 140-148
Antiphospholipid Antibodies in Women with Preeclampsia Seen at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria
Nwogoh Benedict1, Awodu Omolade Augustina2, Aziken M Emefiele3, Nwannadi Ikenna Alexander4
11Dept. of Haematology & Blood Transfusion, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar, Nigeria.
22Department of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria.
3Department Of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria.
4Department of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi, Nigeria.
Corresponding Author: Nwannadi Ikenna Alexander
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: APLA have been associated with a number of obstetric complications however their role in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia has remained an issue of controversy. There is a dearth of information on APLA in preeclamptic women in our environment.
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of antiphospholipid antibodies in preeclampsia among women presenting to UBTH Benin City and to determine pregnancy outcome in APLA positive women with preeclampsia.
METHODS: This is a case control study. Consecutive pregnant women diagnosed of preeclampsia and age-parity matched normal on-going pregnant women were recruited as participants for the study. Antiphospholipid antibodies were assayed using dilute Russel viper’s venom (DRVV) Lupus Anticoagulant (LA screen and confirm kits) and total anticardiolipin antibody (ACA) enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits.
RESULTS: The prevalence of APLA in preeclampsia was 10% while none (0%) of the controls was positive. This was not statistically significant p value = 0.056 however the odd of detecting APLA in preeclampsia is infinite. There were no significant differences in the obstetric history, pregnancy complications, maternal and birth outcomes between APLA positive and APLA negative women with preeclampsia. However APLA positive preeclamptic women are at increased risk of abruptio placenta and low birth weight with odd ratios of 5.83 and 1.71 respectively.
CONCLUSION: The prevalence of APLA though increased in women with preeclampsia there is no association between APLA and preeclampsia in the study participants. Therefore a routine assay of APLA in women at risk of preeclampsia may not be justified however women with preeclampsia with other clinical features of antiphospholipid syndrome should be investigated for APLA.
Key words: Knowledge and practice, child survival strategies, mothers, south Nigeria.