ANTIPHOSPHOLIPID ANTIBODIES IN ECLAMPSIA

Objective: To establish the association of raised levels of antiphosph olipid antibodies and eclampsia. Methods: Thirty-four patients with ec lampsia and 34 normotensive controls matched for maternal age, gestati onal age, and parity were included in the study. All had anticardiolip in antibodies and lupus anticoagulant performed by established techniq ues. Results: Seven patients (21%) in the eclamptic group and 8 (24%) in the control group had raised anticardiolipin antibodies. Conclusion : No association was found between raised antiphospholipid antibodies and eclampsia. Of interest is the association between antiphospholipid antibodies and the HELLP syndrome, which needs further investigation.