Haemostatic and metabolic abnormalities in women with unexplained recurrent abortion

The objective of this study was to establish whether or not patients with u nexplained recurrent abortion have an increased incidence of haemostatic or metabolic abnormalities. Fifty-two patients with a history of unexplained habitual abortion (two or more spontaneous abortions before 16 weeks' gesta tion) were tested for protein S, protein C and antithrombin (AT) III defici ency, activated protein C (aPC) resistance, hyperhomocysteinaemia and antic ardiolipin antibodies (ACA), The control group consisted of 67 healthy wome n with a history of only uncomplicated pregnancies. Blood samples were take n for measuring protein S, protein C, AT III, ACA and activated protein C r esistance and a methionine loading test was performed. Of the 46 patients t ested for protein S deficiency, 8 (17.4%) were positive. Of the 43 patients tested, two (4.7%) were protein C deficient and none was AT In deficient, Of the 42 patients tested for ACA, eight (19.1%) had detectable antibodies, Of the 44 patients tested for aPC resistance, two (4.6%) were positive. Fi nally, 35 patients were tested for hyperhomocysteinaemia and six (17.1%) we re positive. It was concluded that parous women with a history of unexplain ed recurrent abortion have an increased incidence of hyperhomocysteinaemia and a trend of increased incidence of ACA can be found.