Management and the pregnancy outcomes of patients positive for anti-parietal cell antibody

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Autoimmunity is related to poor obstetric outcomes in previous studies.

OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate the management and the pregnancy outcomes of patients positive for anti-parietal cell antibody (APCA).

METHODS:

We retrospectively evaluated obstetric, neonatal outcomes and Beksac Obstetrics Index (BOI) of pregnancies with APCA positivity. Coexisting Methylentetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) polymorphisms, other autoimmune antibody positivities, or thrombophilias were also evaluated in terms of obstetric outcomes.

RESULTS:

Of 39 pregnancies, three resulted in abortions (7.6%). The median gestational week and birthweight was 37 weeks and 2795 g. The median APGAR scores were 8, 9, and 9 for first, fifth, and tenth minute, respectively. Analysis involving additional risk factors showed no significant difference between the groups, evaluating APCA titers, MTHFR polymorphisms, or thrombophilia status. Significant difference was only observed for the fifth minute APGAR scores between the groups with other autoantibody positivities ( $p=$ 0.036). Despite lack of significant differences, patients with positivity for more than one autoimmune antibody had lower APGAR scores for the first and tenth minute, respectively ( $p=$ 0.727; $p=$ 0.083). BOI analysis showed a statistically significant difference between the groups, demonstrating that more than one “antibody positivity” indicated a worse obstetric history.

CONCLUSIONS:

Patients with more than one autoantibody positivity, including APCA, must be considered as high-risk patients.