DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2014.v02i03.026

Pages: 1005-1009

Recurrent miscarriage affects 2–5% of the population. The causes of recurrent miscarriage are multiple ranging from genetic, environmental, infectious, metabolic, and endocrine to purely anatomic ones. Pregnancy leads to a hypercoagulable state with consequent increased risks of thromboembolism and disseminated intravascular coagulation. Antiphospholipid (aPL) syndrome (APS) represents a significant cause of recurrent miscarriage. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of antiphospholipid syndrome, in 50 (5 pregnant and 45 post miscarriage) Sudanese women, with recurrent unexplained miscarriages. Using lupus-anticoagulant test and anticardiolipin antibody ELISA assay. Questionnaires were filled, from the participants and each one tested for lupus anticoagulant, complete blood count (CBC) and anticardiolipin antibodies. Thirteen (26%) of the 50 participants were positive for aPL antibodies. Statistically significant associations were observed between aPL antibodies and the use of oral contraceptive pills and between aPL antibodies and the participants tested in post miscarriage period.