Antiphospholipid syndrome is an acquired disorder characterised by a predisposition to both venous and arterial thromboses, recurrent fetal loss and thrombocytopenia. It may occur as a primary disorder or secondary to other conditions, most commonly systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)

In pregnancy the following complications may occur:

• recurrent miscarriage
• IUGR
• pre-eclampsia
• placental abruption
• pre-term delivery
• venous thromboembolism

Management

• low-dose aspirin should be commenced once the pregnancy is confirmed on urine testing
• low molecular weight heparin once a fetal heart is seen on ultrasound. This is usually discontinued at 34 weeks gestation
• these interventions increase the live birth rate seven-fold