Miscarriages and the Immune System
Immunologic Causes of Multiple Miscarriages
How does the immune system work during a pregnancy?
What are some autoimmune pregnancy concerns?
What is an autoimmune disorder?
What are the effects of an autoimmune disorder?
What are some common autoimmune disorders that can cause amiscarriage?
Are there diagnostic tests & treatments for autoimmune diseases?
How does the immune system work during a pregnancy?
When the immune system is functioning correctly, it is able to recognize
a pregnancy as a desirable condition within the body, even though the
embryo will initially appear foreign to the mother. The embryo will suppress
the mother's immune system from its normal and usual activity of attacking
foreign entities. It will actually initiate certain processes whereby
it directs the mother's immune system to protect the embryo from attack
by other sources. If the immune system is defective, however, these actions
do not occur and the immune system itself can attack the embryo and cause
recurrent miscarriages.
What are some autoimmune pregnancy concerns?
There are many complex ways in which these issues with the immune system
manifest and interfere with the natural process of the embryo. If you
are wondering, "What is immunology?" and how it may be affecting your efforts to achieve a successful
pregnancy, Dr. Braverman and our team can help provide answers.
We can explain, in simple terms, all about the following pregnancy concerns:
What is an autoimmune disorder?
Simply put, an autoimmune disorder is any condition that results in the
body's immune system, attacking and destroying healthy tissue. Typically,
your body's immune system works by producing white blood cells to
attack and destroy harmful antigens in your body. What is an antigen?
An antigen is any harmful substance, including bacteria, viruses, toxins,
cancer, harmful cells, unsafe blood transfusions, etc. The immune system
keeps the body healthy by destroying these substances. If you have an
autoimmune disorder, your immune system can't tell the difference
between harmful substances and healthy ones. Instead of attacking dangerous
antigens, the body attacks healthy tissue.
There are a variety of reasons that people develop autoimmune disorders,
but ultimately, doctors are unable to determine the exact causes of autoimmune
disorders. However, there is some evidence that harmful bacteria, viruses,
or certain drugs may inhibit the body's ability to differentiate between
normal, healthy tissue and harmful substances like bacteria or a virus.
In fact, some doctors and scientists believe that autoimmune disorders
are genetic.
What are the effects of an autoimmune disorder?
Autoimmune disorders have many adverse effects on the body. Not only is
healthy tissue attacked and destroyed, but organs may grow abnormalities
and change functions. Additionally, blood vessels, connective tissues,
joints, muscles, red blood cells, and the skin may be affected. Autoimmune
disorders have the potential to significantly affect all organs in the
body, including a pregnancy.
What are some common autoimmune disorders that can cause a miscarriage?
There are many types of autoimmune and autoimmune-related disorders. Some
of the most common are:
- Systemic Lupus
- Crohn's Disease
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Scleroderma
- Addison's disease
- Celiac disease
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- Grave's disease
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Reactive arthritis
- Pernicious anemia
- Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
- Type I diabetes
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Additionally, a person can develop more than one autoimmune disorder at
a time. For example, if you have celiac disease (gluten intolerance),
you may develop pernicious anemia as well.
Are there diagnostic tests & treatments for autoimmune diseases?
Yes, there are! Our team can conduct a full battery of tests, answering
your questions along the way and explaining what you need to know to understand
the results of those tests. Most importantly, we will determine the most
effective
treatment for you and monitor your progress with the individual attention and care
you deserve. In an independent poll conducted by the Long Island Press,
Braverman IVF & Reproductive Immunology was voted the best infertility
practice on Long Island three years in a row and we endeavor to continue
living up to that standard.
Contact an infertility specialist
for examination of your immune system and how it may be affecting your
attempts to have a child.