Retrospective case-control study of the outcome of pregnancy after paternal leukocytes transfusion in cases of recurrent pregnancy loss

Abstract

Immunization therapy, for treatment of recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL), has been developed since the mid-1980's. The effect of this kind of therapy is still controversial The purpose of this retrospective, case-control study, was to evaluate the beneficial effect of immunotherapy for the treatment of patients with RPL and negative antipaternal cytotoxic antibodies. During a 3-year period (1992 to 1994), we were able to collect 25 such patients who conceived after having been immunized abroad. We compared the outcome of the pregnancies of those 25 patients with that of 41 unimmunized patients used as controls. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups regarding maternal age, parity, number of previous abortions, gestational age, infant weight, and Apgar score at 5 minutes. The pregnancy success rate was higher in patients who were not immunized (80.5%) than in those who were immunized (56%). The difference bordered on, but did not reach, statistical significance (P=0.064). There was no significant difference whether immunization was performed before or during pregnancy or whether pregnancy occurred within 26 weeks of immunization or between 27 and 52 weeks. The only significant difference between the two groups was related to the drugs (Aspirin and progesterone) used in the antenatal period and this may explain the higher; although not significant, success rate in the control group. It is not yet clear whether immunotherapy has any substantial effect in preventing recurrent abortions. More controlled prospective studies are required to reach a final conclusion regarding this form of treatment.