Reproductive Immunology

Autoimmune disease is a common contributing factor to early first trimester loss. You may be advised to undergo extensive immunologic evaluation to identify autoimmune antibodies, natural killer cells, and embryotoxic factor. Antiphospholipid antibodies, anticardiolipin antibodies, and tests for systemic lupus may be detected as a cause of tiny blood clots which may interfere with the maternal-fetal circulation. Anticardiolipin antibodies and pregnancy are not mutually exclusive if this autoimmune disease is properly detected and treated.

Autoimmune Antibodies

These antibodies cause abnormal blood clotting, which prevents establishing a good fetal/maternal circulation necessary for fetal growth. Thinning your blood with anticoagulants may be recommended to help you carry your pregnancy to term.

Natural Killer Cells

Your body makes natural killer cells (NKC) to help prevent cancer and other diseases. If your body detects your developing embryo as a foreign entity, high levels of natural killer cells may result, ultimately resulting in fetal demise. In the past suppressing the immune system with IntraVenous Immune Globulin (IVIG) appeared to be the only way to suppress the natural killer cells to help the pregnancy progress to term. Unfortunately, the medication cost for a successful pregnancy was extravagant-approximately $40,000! At the Center for Reproductive Loss, Dr. McLaughlin has successfuly used other inexpensive medication to successfuly lower the natural killer cells so your baby will continue to grow.

Embryo Toxic Factor

Your white blood cells may secrete embryo toxic factor (ETF), which can abnormally accumulate to impair your appropriate immune response with subsequent pregnancies. Suppressing your immune system's abnormal response of embryo toxic factor should help the fetus to develop appropriately.