Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome

Antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APS) is an autoimmune disorder. Autoimmune disorders occur when the immune system makes antibodies that attack and damage the body’s tissues or cells by mistake. Antibodies are a type of protein that the immune system usually makes to defend against infection.

In APS, the body mistakenly makes antibodies that attack phospholipids—a type of fat. Phospholipids are found in all living cells and cell membranes, including blood cells and the lining of blood vessels.

When antibodies attack phospholipids, they damage cells. This causes unwanted blood clots to form in the body’s arteries and veins, which are the vessels that carry blood to your heart and body. APS can lead to a number of health problems, such as stroke, heart attack, kidney damage, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, or pregnancy-related problems.

Pregnancy-related problems may include multiple miscarriages, a miscarriage late in pregnancy, or a premature birth due to eclampsia. Eclampsia, which follows preeclampsia, is a serious condition that causes seizures in pregnant women.