Pregnancy outcome in recurrent spontaneous abortion associated with antiphospholipid antibodies: a comparative study of intravenous immunoglobulin versus prednisone plus low-dose aspirin.

Am J Reprod Immunol 2001 Mar;45(3):174-9 (ISSN: 1046-7408) 
Vaquero E; Lazzarin N; Valensise H; Menghini S; Di Pierro G; Cesa F; Romanini C 
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Fatebenefratelli Hospital, Isola Tiberina, Italy.

PROBLEM:

To compare the use of intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG) with prednisone plus low-dose aspirin (LDA) in treating pregnant women with a history of recurrent fetal loss having the antiphospholipid antibody (aPL), in terms of live-birth rate and maternal and perinatal morbidity.

METHOD:

A prospective, two-centers trial study included 82 recurrent aborters with aPL syndrome. Twenty-nine were treated with prednisone and LDA in one center, 53 received IVIG in the other center. Maternal and fetal outcomes and pregnancy complications were compared between groups.

RESULTS:

Live-birth rates were equivalent between groups (78 vs 76%). Mean birth weight was higher in the IVIG group than in the prednisone plus LDA group. In the prednisone- plus LDA-treated patients, gestational hypertension and gestational diabetes were found significantly more often than in the IVIG-treated group (14 vs 5% and 14 vs 5%, respectively).

CONCLUSION:

In patients with aPL syndrome, IVIG treatment improved pregnancy outcome, with significantly lower pregnancy complication rates, when compared with prednisone plus LDA therapy. Medscape Medline Abstract