الفهرس 
IntroductionOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
Pre-eclampsia is a systemic disorder in the late stage of pregnancy that affects about 5-10% of all pregnancies and is known as the beginning of proteinuric hypertension after week 20 of gestation. It is a rapidly progressive condition characterized by high blood pressure, protein in urine, swelling of the lower extremities and platelet aggregation. It is one of the most dangerous complications of pregnancy, and it remains an important cause of fetomaternal morbidity and mortality, particularly in the developing countries where it accounts for a significant cause of maternal deaths. Despite the high prevalence and severity of preeclampsia, its pathophysiology is still poorly understood and its etiology has not yet been fully estabilished. Antiphospholipid syndrome is an autoimmune disorder defined by the presence of characteristic clinical features, mainly thrombosis, poor obstetric outcomes, and medium-high antiphospholipid antibody titres. Thrombosis and proinflammatory pathway over-activation - mainly through the complement system in uteroplacental circulation and trophoblastic tissue - lead to placental injury with further uteroplacental insufficiency. The antiphospholipid antibody rates among preeclampsia women are highly variable and the association between antiphospholipid antibody in the absence of full-blown clinical syndrome and preeclampsia still remains unclear and controversial. The antiphospholipid antibodies are group of circulating antibodies against anionic phospholipids with the most important ones being anticardiolipin antibodies, anti-β2-glycoprotein and lupus anticoagulant. These antibodies are associated with pregnancy complications including recurrent fetal loss, preeclampsia, placental insufficiency and intrauterine growth restriction. In our environment, there are few local studies on the prevalence of antiphospholipid antibodies in pregnancy and their contribution to the pregnancy related complications.