Immunogenetic Factors in Preeclampsia and Eclampsia
- Paavo Toivanen, MD;
- Toivo Hirvonen, MD
Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text.
Excerpt
To the Editor.— Scott et al (235:402, 1976) observed no difference in the blood groups, HLA haplotypes, or infant's sex in patients with preeclampsia or eclampsia. Their findings are based on study of 46 patients, including 28 blacks, 11 whites, and 7 Latin Americans. It might be worthwhile to point out that such a small group of ethnically diverse patients hardly allows any conclusions to be drawn on the role of immunologic mechanisms in the pathogenesis of pregnancy toxemia. We are ready to agree with the conclusion that ABO and Rh blood groups have no role, since that has been reported by several authors including us,1 but we do not accept the conclusion that HLA antigens and the sex ratio of the infants would have no role. Regarding HLA antigens, further studies with larger and more homogenic groups of patients are required before any conclusions are available. Regarding the
