Evidence Preeclampsia May be an Autoimmune Disorder

New Evidence Preeclampsia May be an Autoimmune Disorder

Tuesday, July 29, 2008 12:56

Posted in category High Risk OB, Pregnancy

According to new research published in Nature Medicine, preeclampsia may be an autoimmune condition. Investigators were able to induce the symptoms of preeclampsia in mice by injecting them with autoantibodies obtained from women with preeclampsia. The most exciting thing about this research is that symptoms were prevented when the pregnant mice were given agents designed to block the activation of the angiotensin receptor.

According to a news release from the University of Texas, this study “provides strong experimental support for our working hypothesis that pre-eclampsia is an autoimmune disease in which angiotensin receptor–activating autoantibodies contribute to many features of the disease.”

Preeclampsia is a potentially deadly condition which occurs in about 10% of pregnancies and is responsible for about 15% of premature births and 18% of all maternal deaths. Early symptoms of preeclampsia include swelling, high blood pressure, headaches and abdominal pain. There is currently no cure for preeclampsia, and the only treatment is delivery of the baby, often extremely prematurely.

2 Responses to “New Evidence Preeclampsia May be an Autoimmune Disorder”

Genevieve says:

November 8th, 2008 at 9:49 am

I had preeclampsia when pregnant with my oldest son. Recently I was dx with Rheumatoid Arthritis (auto-immune). My sister was dx with ITP during her last pregnancy. My brother had JRA and now RA and gout. We now know auto-immune disorders run in the family.

I also have PCOS. I wonder if it’s an auto-immune disorder and they haven’t figured it out. I’ve had 15 years secondary infertility due to PCOS — after three months on Imuran (immune suppressing drug) I became pregnant. At 15 weeks I started having real difficulties maintaining my blood pressure and protein is starting to show up.

I did read through PCOS boards of other women who think there might be the same connection. Many have strong family histories of auto-immune disorders or have developed one.

Anyhow, just wanted to say I found this article very interesting.
Kristie says:

November 8th, 2008 at 12:05 pm

Wow. Thanks for sharing your experience. You may really be on to something. I know someone who had PCOS, and then developed RA during pregnancy once they finally were able to get pregnant. I know the babies were born in an emergency situation. I wonder if it was blood pressure related…

You and this baby will definitely be in my thoughts. Please keep me posted!

-Kristie