transfer of maternal antibodies risk for preterm delivery

Background: One of the most significant challenges in obstetrics is the persistence of preterm birth. Having a baby before the 37th week of gestation is considered preterm birth.Another prevalent reason for anti-fetal rejection is antibodies produced by mothers.

Aim of the work: To detect Maternal antibodies ( anti-Human leucocyte antigen class I and class II Panel reactive antibodies) in women with preterm labour in Minia University hospitals.

Methods: From October 2023 to June 2024 , venous blood was withdrawn from every subject (pregnant woman) selected from the obstetrics and gynecology department, Minia University Hospital for determination of panel reactive antibodies (PRA) by Luminex.

Results: (i) HLA class I PRA positivity was more common in patients with spontaneous preterm delivery (P = 0.011) and class II PRA positivity (P = 0.038) compared to patients who delivered at full term; (ii) HLA class I PRA positivity was higher in patients with spontaneous preterm delivery between 28 and 34 weeks (P < 0.001) than in patients with full-term deliveries; (iii) primigravida women had a higher risk of HLA class I PRA positivity than multigravida women; and (iv) the rate of HLA class I PRA positivity in primigravida women increased with each passing week of gestation.

Conclusion: Due to antibody-mediated maternal anti-fetal rejection, pregnant women who test positive for HLA class I or class II PRA during the second trimester are more likely to have spontaneous premature birth.