Antiphospholipid antibodies in paediatrics

Antiphospholipid antibodies, i.e. circulating auto-antibodies to negatively charged phospholipids, are mainly observed in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, but may also occur in individuals who lack evidence of a well-defined systemic disease. Several studies have suggested that they may play a direct role in the pathogenesis of recurrent vascular thrombosis, repeated abortions, and thrombocytopenia (socalled antiphospholipid antibody syndrome), although the mechanism by which this occurs is still poorly understood. The management of patients with antiphospholipid antibody-related thrombosis includes anti-aggregants, anticoagulants, corticosteroids, and cytotoxic drugs, but the optimum treatment is still controversial. Here we review the test systems used to detect antiphospholipid antibodies and their significance in paediatrics.