Bad Obstetric History Panel Advanced

The antiphospholipid antibody IgM test detects the antibodies that bind to phospholipids in the blood. The antiphospholipid antibodies are a group of immune proteins that are produced by the body mistakenly against itself in an autoimmune response to phospholipids. 

Phospholipids are known as structural components of cell membranes. They play an important role in blood clotting. In addition to various coagulation factors, phospholipids are important for the functioning of platelets. 

The antiphospholipid antibodies interfere with the process of clotting and thus posing an affected person to an increased risk of developing recurrent inappropriate blood clots in arteries and veins. This can lead to strokes, heart attacks, or miscarriages. 

The antiphospholipid antibodies are also associated with thrombocytopenia (low platelet counts). Along with that, these antibodies can pose a risk to recurrent miscarriages, especially in the second and third trimester, premature labor, and pre-eclampsia (a complication of pregnancy characterized by high blood pressure). 

The antiphospholipid antibodies have been identified in autoimmune disorders such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and systemic sclerosis. They can also be present in infections like HIV, mononucleosis, and rubella; cancers such as solid tumors, leukemias, lymphomas. The use of certain drugs like procainamide, phenothiazines, and oral contraceptives can also develop antiphospholipid antibodies.

Rubella test detects the presence of antibodies produced by the body’s immune system against the rubella virus. The infection is confirmed by the laboratory test. Rubella virus causes an infection in the body in which there are fever and rash for 2-3 days. This infection can easily spread to another person (contagious) but can be prevented with a vaccine. 

The infection starts with a red rash which appears on the face and neck which spreads to the trunk and limbs which disappears after a few days. The virus gets spread if a healthy person comes in contact with an infected person via coughing or sneezing. Other symptoms which are seen in the rubella virus infection apart from fever and rash include enlarged lymph nodes, red eyes, runny nose, and pain in joints. The symptoms are very minimal especially in case of small children. In general, these symptoms do not come into notice, as the infection goes away after a few days without any treatment and do not cause any complications. 

In the case of pregnant women, if the infection occurs in the first three months of pregnancy, the fetus might get affected being most vulnerable to the virus during this time. In such cases, it can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, or congenital rubella syndrome (CRS). CRS comprises of serious birth defects that will cause permanent harm to the child such as intellectual and developmental disabilities, cloudiness of the lens of eyes, deafness, an abnormally small head, heart defects, and liver problems.

Rubella test detects the presence of antibodies produced by the body’s immune system against the rubella virus. The infection is confirmed by the laboratory test. Rubella virus causes an infection in the body in which there are fever and rash for 2-3 days. This infection can easily spread to another person (highly contagious) but can be prevented with a vaccine. 

The virus gets spread if a healthy person comes in contact with an infected person via coughing or sneezing. It starts with a red rash which appears on the face and neck and then spreads to the trunk and limbs before disappearing after a few days. Other symptoms which can be caused by the rubella virus infection apart from fever and rash include enlarged lymph nodes, red eyes, runny nose, and pain in joints. It is important to know that, the symptoms caused by this virus are very minimal especially in case of small children. In general, these symptoms do not come into notice, as the infection goes away after a few days without any treatment and do not cause any complications. 

In the case of pregnant women, if the infection occurs in the first three months of pregnancy, the fetus might get affected being most vulnerable to the virus during this time. In such cases, this virus can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, or congenital rubella syndrome (CRS). CRS comprises of serious birth defects that will cause permanent harm to the child such as intellectual and developmental disabilities, cloudiness of the lens of eyes, deafness, an abnormally small head, heart defects, and liver problems.

The anti-cardiolipin IgM antibody test measures the levels of anti-cardiolipin IgM antibodies in the blood. Anti-cardiolipin antibodies are autoantibodies which are produced by the immune system. They mistakenly target the body's own cardiolipins which are substances that are found in the outermost layer of cells (cell membranes) and platelets. The ability of the body to regulate blood clotting is affected by these autoantibodies.

Cardiolipins are lipid molecules which play an essential role in the process of blood clotting. The anti-cardiolipin antibodies target the cardiolipins which can result in an increased risk of developing recurrent inappropriate blood clots known as thrombi in veins and arteries such as in deep veins of the legs or lungs. These antibodies can also be related with low platelet count which is known as thrombocytopenia and recurrent miscarriages, especially in second and third trimester. It is also associated with premature labor and pre-eclampsia. 

The anti-cardiolipin antibodies are the most common antiphospholipid antibody. These are a group of autoantibodies which are associated with excessive clotting and autoimmune diseases like lupus. These autoantibodies are detected with other antiphospholipid antibodies, such as lupus anticoagulant and anti-beta-2 glycoprotein 1. These may also be temporarily detected in people having acute infections, HIV/AIDS, some cancers, with drug treatments such as phenytoin, penicillin, and procainamide and in the elderly.

In case a person has formation of inappropriate blood clot, recurrent miscarriages, anti-cardiolipin antibodies, and/or another antiphospholipid antibody, the person may be diagnosed with antiphospholipid syndrome also known as APS. APS can be primary or secondary. The secondary APS is associated with an autoimmune disorder while primary APS is not.

The antiphospholipid antibody IgG test detects the antibodies that bind to phospholipids in the blood. The antiphospholipid antibodies are a group of immune proteins that are produced by the body mistakenly against itself in an autoimmune response to phospholipids. 

Phospholipids are known as structural components of cell membranes. They play an important role in blood clotting. In addition to various coagulation factors, phospholipids are important for the functioning of platelets. 

The antiphospholipid antibodies interfere with the process of clotting and thus posing an affected person to an increased risk of developing recurrent inappropriate blood clots in arteries and veins. This can lead to strokes, heart attacks, or miscarriages. 

The antiphospholipid antibodies are also associated with thrombocytopenia (low platelet counts). Along with that, these antibodies can pose a risk to recurrent miscarriages, especially in the second and third trimester, premature labor, and pre-eclampsia (a complication of pregnancy characterized by high blood pressure). 

The antiphospholipid antibodies have been identified in autoimmune disorders such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and systemic sclerosis. They can also be present in infections like HIV, mononucleosis, and rubella; cancers such as solid tumors, leukemias, lymphomas. Use of certain drugs like procainamide, phenothiazines, and oral contraceptives can also develop antiphospholipid antibodies.

The anti-cardiolipin IgG antibody test measures the levels of anti-cardiolipin IgG antibodies in the blood. Anti-cardiolipin antibodies are autoantibodies that are produced by the immune system. They mistakenly target the body's own cardiolipins which are substances that are found in the outermost layer of cells (cell membranes) and platelets. The ability of the body to regulate blood clotting is affected by these autoantibodies.

Cardiolipins are lipid molecules that play an essential role in the process of blood clotting. The anti-cardiolipin antibodies target the cardiolipins which can result in an increased risk of developing recurrent inappropriate blood clots known as thrombi in veins and arteries such as in deep veins of the legs or lungs. These antibodies can also be related with low platelet count which is known as thrombocytopenia and recurrent miscarriages, especially in second and third trimester. It is also associated with premature labor and pre-eclampsia. 

The anti-cardiolipin antibodies are the most common antiphospholipid antibody. These are a group of autoantibodies which are associated with excessive clotting and autoimmune diseases like lupus. These autoantibodies are detected with other antiphospholipid antibodies, such as lupus anticoagulant and anti-beta-2 glycoprotein 1. These may also be temporarily detected in people having acute infections, HIV/AIDS, some cancers, with drug treatments such as phenytoin, penicillin, and procainamide and in the elderly.

In case a person has formation of inappropriate blood clot, recurrent miscarriages, anti-cardiolipin antibodies, and/or another antiphospholipid antibody, the person may be diagnosed with antiphospholipid syndrome also known as APS. APS can be primary or secondary. The secondary APS is associated with an autoimmune disorder while primary APS is not.

The Antinuclear Antibody (ANA) Test measures the amount and pattern of antinuclear antibodies in the blood. The immune system of the body is responsible for differentiating between the body’s own cells and foreign cells, like pathogens. Once the foreign cells are identified, they are then targeted and destroyed. In autoimmune disorders, the immune system of the body is unable to recognize certain cells as the body’s own cells and starts an immune response against them which results in their destruction. The recognition of ‘self’ and ‘non-self’ cells is mediated by certain proteins present on the surface of cells or inside them. When the immune system identifies a cell as foreign or ‘non-self’, it produces antibodies against these cells to destroy them. Antibodies produced in an autoimmune disease are called autoantibodies.

Antinuclear antibodies (ANA) are autoantibodies that are produced against protein markers present in the nucleus of certain cells of the body. They are produced in a number of autoimmune diseases but are most commonly produced in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE).

The Antinuclear Antibody Test can be performed either by Immunoassay method or Indirect Fluorescent Antibody (IFA) method to detect ANA in blood. Both these tests may be used by some laboratories together: the Immunoassay method screens for the presence of antinuclear antibodies, and IFA method subsequently confirms the positive or equivocal Immunoassay results.