Autism spectrum disorders in babies born to mothers with antiphospholipid syndrome

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate the outcomes of babies born to mothers with primary antiphospholipid syndrome and to compare to the outcomes of babies of mothers with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Methods: A retrospective study from 2003 to 2010 assessing the clinical characteristics and psychomotor development, as well as the immunological data, of children born to mothers with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) (group 1) and systemic lupus erythematosus (group 2).

Results: Group 1 consisted of 36 children born to mothers (n = 26) with a primary APS. Autism spectrum disorders occurred in 3 children from group 1 and all of them had persistent anti-β2GP1 IgG antibodies. Group 2 consisted of 12 children born to mothers (n = 9) with lupus erythematosus. Three children experienced cutaneous neonatal lupus, but there were no neurodevelopmental disorders. Comparing children of groups 1 and 2, no significant difference was found with regard to the parameters at birth or during follow-up. The children in group 2 had antinuclear antibodies more frequently (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: Autism spectrum disorders could be observed in babies born to mothers with antiphospholipid syndrome, but there is no risk of thrombosis.

Key messages: Neonatal lupus is well-known complication in children born to mothers with systemic lupus erythematosus, but there is no risk of thrombosis in APS-exposed children. In children of APS mothers the rate of prematurity and small-for-gestational age weight remain high even in treated pregnancy. The presence of several cases of autism spectrum disorders in APS-exposed children could be related to mother's antibodies exposition, but need to be confirmed.

Keywords: Antiphospholipid syndrome; Autism; Lupus; Offspring; Outcome.