PREGNANCY COMPLICATED BY PRIMARY ANTIPHOSPHOLIPID ANTIBODY SYNDROME

Background: Primary antiphospholipid antibody syndrome is a clinical e ntity that may threaten the health of both fetus and mother. Case: We report a fatal case of primary antiphospholipid antibody syndrome in a woman who developed catastrophic disease due to multisystem thrombosi s in the postpartum period following a fetal death. Three years before her admission, primary antiphospholipid antibody syndrome was diagnos ed on the basis of high titers of immunoglobulin G anticardiolipin ant ibody, a positive lupus anticoagulant, a false-positive VDRL, and fibr in deposits in the biopsy of a palmar lesion. Conclusion: The physicia n must recognize the potentially catastrophic complications of pregnan cy and the postpartum period in patients with antiphospholipid antibod ies, and appropriate patient counseling should be provided.