De novo neonatal antiphospholipid syndrome: a case report and review of the literature

Abstract

Objectives: Neonatal antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is rare and only few cases have been reported, most of them describing trans-placental passage of penetrable maternal antibodies. The current article aims at defining the clinical and biochemical features of the de novo occurrence of neonatal APS and considerations for long-term treatment.

Methods: We present a case and review the medical literature using PubMed.

Results: Including the current report, there are 11 reports of de novo neonatal APS. These include 8 cases of acute ischemic stroke, 2 of venous thrombosis, and 1 of mixed arterial and venous thrombosis. All cases had an additional thrombotic risk factor, either inherited or acquired. Negative maternal history together with low clinical suspicion led to late diagnosis in most cases. In all cases aPL antibodies persisted in the serum throughout the follow-up period. No recurrence of thrombotic events was reported in patients under long-term anticoagulation with either low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) or aspirin. There is 1 report of recurrent thrombosis where the patient did not receive anticoagulation. In this case diagnosis was made only retrospectively after recurrence.

Conclusions: We recommend that de novo APS be considered in all cases of unexplained neonatal thrombosis aiming at early diagnosis and implementation of long-term anticoagulation to prevent recurrent thrombotic events.

Keywords: Antiphospholipid syndrome; Neonatal thrombosis.