PRIMARY ANTIPHOSPHOLIPID SYNDROME AND NEUROLOGIC EVENTS

The occurrence of lupus anticoagulant and anticardiolipin antibodies w as demonstrated in a girl affected by recurrent episodes of visual dis turbances, with ophthalmologic evidence of visual impairment and somet imes accompanied by migraine. Systemic lupus erythematosus was exclude d on the basis of both clinical and serologic criteria and the diagnos is of primary antiphospholipid syndrome was made. Vascular pathogenesi s was suggested by the characteristic symptoms. The serologic demonstr ation of antiphospholipid antibodies made it possible to relate the il lness to an immune-mediated thrombotic tendency. This patient demonstr ated that the diagnosis of primary antiphospholipid syndrome must alwa ys be considered in focal cerebral or retinal ischemia in childhood.