Obstetrics and gynaecology

This section deals with clinical conditions associated with obstetrics and gynaecology which are covered by the Immunology department. For each clinical condition, the relevant immunological tests are listed together with a short explanation of their use.

Recurrent foetal loss

This section deals with the clinical condition recurrent foetal loss, listing the relevant immunological tests, together with a short explanation of their use.

Relevant immunological tests:

• Anti-phospholipid antibodies
• Cardiolipin (IgG and IgM) antibodies

Mid-trimester foetal loss may be due to thrombosis of placental vessels in anti-phospholipid syndrome (primary or associated with SLE).

For additional information refer to Rheumatology/Connective Tissue Disease.

Gonadal failure

This section deals with the clinical condition gonadal failure, listing the relevant immunological tests, together with a short explanation of their use.

Relevant immunological tests:

• Ovary antibodies
• Testis antibodies
• Adrenal antibody

This may be due to autoimmune damage to the gonads in males or females associated with antibodies to ovary, testis and adrenal cortex (this is found with adrenocortical failure in autoimmune polyendocrinopathy).

 

(Last reviewed June 2019)