Multidisciplinary management of anti-PP1Pk or anti-P alloimmunization during pregnancy: A new case with anti-P and a literature review.

BACKGROUND: Red blood cell alloimmunization is the first cause of fetal and neonatal anemia. Alloimmunizations with anti-PP1Pk or anti-P can cause recurrent miscarriages and hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters of pregnancy. We report on a pregnant patient immunized with anti-P and a history of recurrent miscarriages. CASE REPORT: This P2k (GLOB:-1; P1PK:-1,3) patient had a first pregnancy marked by a caesarean at 38 weeks of gestation (WG) for non-reassuring fetal heart rate. Then, she had three early spontaneous miscarriages. The fifth pregnancy began with a high titer of anti-P at 128. Early initiation of treatment with Intravenous Immunoglobulins (IVIg) and plasma exchanges (PE) starting at 5 WG permitted us to reduce the titer of anti-P below 32. A healthy infant was delivered by caesarean at 38 WG without anemia at birth and no exchange transfusion was required. DISCUSSION AND REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE: The P and Pk antigens are expressed on placental, trophoblastic, and embryonic cells. This explains why P1k (GLOB:-1; P1PK:1,3), P2k (GLOB:-1; P1PK:-1,3), or Tj(a-)/p (GLOB:-1; P1PK:-1,-3) patients are prone to recurrent abortions in the first trimester of pregnancy. A literature review demonstrated 87% (68/78) of miscarriages in p patients. However, publication biases are possible with the most severe cases being reported. CONCLUSION: Immunizations to P and PP1Pk antigens differ from others in their physiopathology and precocity. The association of PE and IVIg seems to be an effective treatment in the management of anti-PP1Pk or anti-P fetomaternal incompatibilities.

Selected psychological aspects of functioning of a patient after repeated miscarriages − case study

The purpose of our case study was to identify psychological and medical dependencies affecting subsequent pregnancies of women after early pregnancy loss. The patient miscarried three times, gave birth to two children. The case study describes her state of health, emotional reactions and social support in these situations. Based on medical information, psychological interview and questionnaires (STAI, CISS, BHI-R, ISEL) are described factors influencing the patient's coping with such a difficult situation as the loss of pregnancy.

Role of lymphocyte immunization therapy (LIT) in repeated miscarriages - A review.

Recurrent Miscarriages are seen in 2%-5% of women and 50% of these are labelled as unexplained as no underlying cause is found in them. Various studies have explained possible alloimmune basis in these couples. Lymphocyte Immunization Therapy (LIT) was the earliest immunomodulatory method suggested in these cases. The efficacy of LIT was questioned by REMIS study in 1999 and subsequent Cochrane reviews. However, recent meta-analyses have shown that LIT is not only effective in the treatment of repeated miscarriages but it is also safe. Review of the odds ratio for live birth of various meta-analyses of studies in recurrent miscarriages has also shown that newer meta-analyses have shown higher odds ratios. The purpose of this paper is to put forward the current perspective of LIT in reproductive failure and bring forth the recent evidence. In addition, we share our experience with the use of LIT in women with recurrent pregnancy losses. However, large multicentric RCTs are required to further prove efficacy of LIT.

Prevalence of Inherited Thrombophilia in Women with Recurrent Pregnancy Loss During the First Trimester of Pregnancy.

Purpose: This study aims to investigate the prevalence of inherited thrombophilia in women with recurrent pregnancy loss during the first trimester of pregnancy. The study was assessed the potential role of inherited thrombophilia in recurrent miscarriages and evaluate the consequences of this condition on the reproductive outcomes of affected women. Material and Methods: This study was an analytical descriptive carried out in Khartoum, Sudan. The research comprised 98 controls who had given birth twice or more without experiencing a miscarriage and 120 patients. Each patient had done more than two miscarriages especially when the pregnancy is at its beginning trimester. (APCR), and (PS) were investigated using the clotting approach. There was an assessment of biological activities of (ATIII), (PC), and (PS) for both groups using the chromogenic method. Results: The average age of the patients was 34, which was higher than the average age of the controls (33.5). The patient group had a much higher rate of multiple miscarriages among the women.: 35 (29.17%), 45 (37.50%), and 40 (33.33%). The incidence of PC deficiencies was determined to be 1.02% (1/98), whereas neither ATIII nor PS deficiencies were seen in the control group (0/98). APCR was more prevalent in the control group (4.10% or 4/98). Conclusion: Despite contradicting evidence to the contrary in the literature, our findings imply that most miscarriages occur when pregnancy is at the first trimester when a woman is pregnant and they are all caused by thrombophilia.

Genetic counseling in carriers of reciprocal translocations involving two autosomes.

One of the main genetic causes involve in the pathogenesis of recurrent abortion is parental chromosomal abnormalities. The central concept in genetic counseling with such families is to estimate the probability of recurrence of unfavorable pregnancy outcomes. The main questions that consultants usually ask are: Why did this happen? What is the risk to be done again?Our cases were two families with repeated miscarriage. The pedigrees were drawn, the chromosomes of couples were studied, and estimation for recurrent risk was done. We tried to answer those two main questions and clear the results for them.Parental chromosome abnormalities were founded after karyotyping with GTG technique at 450 band resolution, revealing 46 chromosomes with balanced translocation of autosomes in one of the partner in both families. Recurrent risk was estimated as "high" for their future pregnancies in each family.Couples in which one partner is the carrier of such balanced translocation have increased risks of infertility, recurrent abortion, and delivery of chromosomally abnormal offspring. Genetic counseling of such couples, therefore, presents a unique challenge and should be considered in dealing with such families.

Prevalence and role of antithrombin III, protein C and protein S deficiencies and activated protein C resistance in Kosovo women with recurrent pregnancy loss during the first trimester of pregnancy.

CONTEXT: Several studies have reported that thrombophilia is responsible for recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). AIMS: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and role of inherited thrombophilia in early pregnancy loss, specifically in the first trimester. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 104 women (patients) with a history of two or more miscarriages during the first trimester of pregnancy and 110 women (controls) who had experienced two or more births without a miscarriage were included in this study. In both groups, we determined the biological activities of antithrombin III (ATIII) and protein C (PC) using the chromogenic method and the biological activity of protein S (PS) and the activated protein C resistance (APCR) were examined using a clotting method. RESULTS: In the patient group, deficiencies of ATIII, PC, and PS were detected in 3 (2.88%), 4 (3.85%), and 6 (5.77%) cases, respectively. In the control group, ATIII (0%) deficiencies were not detected, and deficiencies for PC (0.9%) and PS (0.9%) were each detected in 1 patient. APCR was detected in 9 patients (8.65%) and 4 control subjects (3.63%). CONCLUSION: Based on our results, we can conclude that thrombophilia is a causal factor for miscarriages in the first trimester of pregnancy, although there are the conflicting data in the literature.