Possible importance of immunoglobulin E in foetal loss by mothers with anti-SSA antibody

Objective : The incidence of foetal loss and/or adverse foetal outcomes, including congenital heart block (CHB), has been investigated in mothers with anti-SSA antibody detected by immunodiffusion or counter-immunoelectrophoresis methods. We investigated the relationship between several serum parameters (such as autoantibodies and immunoglobulins) and foetal loss in patients with anti-SSA antibody, measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Material and methods : Thirty-seven women who showed positivity for anti-SSA antibody and had a history of pregnancy were included in this study. Immunoglobulins and several autoantibodies were assayed by routine laboratory methods at our hospital. Results : Our data indicated that immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels were significantly higher in the anti-SSA antibody positive women with foetal loss than in those without, and that a strong positive correlation between IgE and anti-SSA antibody levels was observed in the former group, but not in the latter. Conclusion : The serum IgE level seems to be an important factor in the occurrence of foetal loss in mothers with anti-SSA antibody detected by ELISA.