Hughes Syndrome held to blame for some cases of recurrent miscarriage


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A relatively unknown condition has been in the news of late. Called Hughes - or Antiphospholipid - Syndrome, it is caused by antibodies in the mother’s blood working too hard, creating small clots in the placenta which either block initial implantation of the newly fertilised egg or prevent essential nutrients getting through to the baby at a later stage, causing the baby to die in the womb. The syndrome is held responsible for between 15 - 20% of miscarriages and women who have it are told they have just a 10% chance of a successful pregnancy. In addition to threatening pregnancies, the condition can also produce aching joints, cold hands, migraines, blood clots and mild strokes. It can also be connected with an increased predisposition to developing blood clots after flying - so called ’economy class syndrome.‘ Women who have been on the contraceptive pill are believed to be more at risk of developing Hughes Syndrome - but 1-2% of the population can have it without exhibiting any symptoms whatsoever.

The good news is that the condition can be ameliorated through the use of blood-thinning drugs such as aspirin and heparin which increase the chances of a successful pregnancy up to 70%. Much research is currently been undertaken into this condition and a number of special clinics have been opened around the country to test for Hughes Syndrome and to address the issues it raises.

The Hughes Syndrome Foundation can be contacted on: 0207 960 5561 or go to www.hughes-syndrome.org.

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