HLA-ANTIGEN SHARING IN PREECLAMPSIA

The association between human leukocyte antigens (HLA) and the develop ment of preeclampsia (PE) was studied in 48 women with PE and their pa rtners. In 20 of the families, the HLA antigens of the child were also determined. In 8 of 15 cases (53%) of primigravidae with PE, the chil d shared at least 2 paternal antigens with the mother, whereas this wa s the case in only 1 of 26 (4%) children of healthy mothers (p < 0.001 ). In contrast to this, none of 6 children of multigravidae with PE sh ared 2 paternal antigens with the mother. An increased homozygosity at the HLA-B locus was also seen in the children of primigravidae with P E (40 vs. 4%, p = 0.01).