ELSEVIER European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology 73 ,' 1997) 37-42 Anti-beta 2 glycoprotein I antibodies in a general obstetric population: preliminary results on the prevalence and correlation with pregnancy outcome. Anti-J32 glycoprotein I antibodies are associated with some obstetrical complications, mainly preeclampsia-eclampsia. David Faden*, Angela Tincani, Paola Tanzi, Laura Spatola, Andrea Lojacono, Michele Tarantini, Genesio Balestrieri Department ot' Obstetrics and Gynecology and CIbUcal Immunolo,w Unit. University of Brescia. Brescia. ltah" Received 26 September 1996; revised 21 January 1997: accepted 31 January 1997 Abstract Objective: To evaluate the prevalence in normal pregnancies of anti-J32 glycoprotein I (anti-[32GPI) antibodies, and their association with obstetrical complications. Study design: Prospective study of anti-J32GPI and anticardiofipin (CL) antibodies in 510 healthy pregnant women at 15-18 weeks. According to the results, women were categorized into three groups: group I, negative for both antibodies; group II, positive for anti-[32GPI antibodies; group lII, positive for aCL only. The rates of fetal loss, abruptio placentae, preeclampsia- eclampsia, and fetal growth retardation were compared in the three groups. Results': Anti-132GPl antibodies were found in 20 women (3.9%) and aCL in 8 patients (1.6%). Obstetrical complications were more frequent, even if not significantly different, in group II, 15%, than in group I, 4.1% (difference 10.9%; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1,6-20.2%: p=0.05751, while no complications were seen in group lII. Preeclampsia-eclampsia were significantly more frequent in group II (10e/c) than in group 1 (0.8%; difference 9.2%; 95% CI: 4.4-14%: p=0.021). The prevalence of fetal growth retardation was not significantly different in the two groups (5% vs. 2%, respectively). Comment: Our findings indicate that anti-J32GPl antibodies are associated with some obstetrical complications, mainly preeclampsia-eclampsia, even if more conventional antiphospholipid antibodies are not present. This observation suggests that these antibodies should be investigated in such cases, in order to improve the outcome of subsequent pregnancies, as well as in women with a history of early and/or recurrent severe preeclampsia in order to start a prophylactic treatment (i.e. low-dose aspirin or heparin). © 1997 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. Keywords: Anti-beta 2 glycoprotein I antibodies; Antiphospholipid antibodies; Pregnancy outcome: Preeclampsia; Fetal growth retardation 1. Introduction The occurrence of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) (lupus anticoagulant, LA and anticardiolipin antibodies, (CL) has been associated with some clinical features such Corresponding author. Present address: Clinica Ostetrica e Ginecologica, Spedali Civili 1, Piazzale Spedali Civili, 25100 Brescia, Italy. Tel. (39130.3995.340 Fax. t 39)30.3384460. as thromboembolic phenomena, thrombocytopenia and fetal loss [ 1 I. In this way a new clinical condition has been defined as antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). This con- dition was first recorded in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and later in otherwise healthy sub- jects (secondary and primary APS respectively) [2,3]. In pregnant patients with SLE, the presence of aPL was shown to be the most important risk factor for fetal outcome [4]. Therefore, aPL were studied in general 0301-2115/97/$17.00 ;) 1997 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All righis reserved Pll S0301-21 15(97102736-X