Association of inherited thrombophilia and antiphospholipid syndrome with severe preeclampsia

Background: Severe preeclampsia is a quite well-known entity with high incidence of both maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Although little is known about its etiology, inherited disorders of hemostasis and antiphospholipid syndrome have been postulated as common causes. The present study was conducted to evaluate the association of these two entities with preeclampsia in a group of Iranian patients. Materials and Methods: A case-control study was performed on 26 parturients with severe preeclampsia and 26 healthy pregnant women who were matched according to the age, parity, gestational age and previous history of abortion. A 10cc blood sample was obtained and the following factors were measured: factor V Leiden, protein S, protein C, antithrombin III, anticardiolipin antibodies (IgM and IgG) and the presence of the lupus anticoagulant antibody. Results: We have not found any significant difference in the values of factor V Leiden, antithrombin III, protein C, protein S, and anticardiolipin-IgG between preeclamptic (case) and non-preeclamptic (control) parturients. Meanwhile, lupus anticoagulant antibody was detected in one case and one control. However, anticardiolipin IgM was shown to be significantly higher in the preeclamptic patients. Severe preeclamptic parturients were 4.4 times more likely to develop elevated levels of IgM (OR=4.4, 95% CI=1.9-10, p<0.05). Conclusion: Our results failed to reveal any significant association between preeclampsia and indices of inherited disorders of hemostasis, except for anticardiolipin IgM. Thus, routine screening of these indices are not recommended due to high expenses and shortness of reliability.