Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS)

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an autoimmune condition in which the body produces antibodies against phospholipid-binding proteins, causing abnormal blood clotting in arteries and veins. In obstetrics, it is one of the leading treatable causes of recurrent pregnancy loss and late pregnancy complications such as placental insufficiency and preterm delivery.

Diagnosis requires at least one clinical event (thrombosis or pregnancy complication) and positive lab results on two occasions at least 12 weeks apart for lupus anticoagulant, anticardiolipin antibodies (IgG or IgM), or anti-beta-2 glycoprotein I antibodies. Treatment during pregnancy typically combines low-dose aspirin and heparin injections, which reduce clotting risk and improve live birth rates significantly.