Anti Ro Antibodies

[Lollz]

Hey folks I saw my haematolgist today & he informed me I have anti ro antibodies, I was hoping anyone could tell me how this is going to affect me & my unborn baby. I'm only 9 weeks & have had previous miscarriages both at 8 weeks, thanks to the preventative blood thinners I've been pregnant longer than I have before but i'm now worried how this may affect my baby & obviously me. Xxx

[Hidden]

I don’t have anti Ro antibodies but many with Sjögren’s do. I had lots of problems during my pregnancies so can relate to your fear - but great that blood thinners are helping. My blood is a bit sticky so I think blood thinners will help you. I only know about mine in restrospect but can make sense of several early miscarriages and lots of bleeds during my pregnancies now.

As far as I’m aware having anti Ro antibodies just means they need to keep an extra eye on the newborn baby for Lupus rashes and other Lupus traits in the first months. These usually resolve I think. I know of many with anti Ro antibodies who don’t have any problems with their pregnancies or newborns though. Very much hoping you will be the same. 😊

[Paul_Howard Partner LUPUS UK]

Hi Lollz ,

Anti-Ro antibodies are one of the few autoantibodies that can cross the placenta. This can sometimes result in neonatal lupus syndrome or in rare cases, can cause congenital heart block. Anti-Ro can only cross the placenta from 16 weeks so additional monitoring will be done from this time.

You can read more about this in our booklet, 'LUPUS: A Guide to Pregnancy' at lupusuk.org.uk/wp-content/u...

(If you would like a physical copy posted to you, please just send me a private message or email [e-mail] with your name and address).

[kt11]

Hi Lollz, it's good that you know you have anti-ro.. I don't know where you live but there was a lupus pregnancy clinic at St Thomas in London. Always trust your instinct and whenever you are worried insist on seeing your gp/ antenatal specialist, they will understand given your history of miscarriages. Wishing you and baby all the very best xxx

[Sara_A]

I have anti ro antibodies and have had 2 successful pregnancies. As far as I know it can affect the baby's heart as in can put them in heart block but u will have regular late scans to check the babies heart as u have these antibodies. It means the baby can be born in heart block and some may need a pacemaker. I know this all sounds scary but when they do ur 20 wk scan or after that they will send u for further scans of the baby's heart if they are concerned.

I never had to go for the further scans as there were no concerns and I had regular scans after 28-30 wks and had both babies at 38 wks.

There was a paediatrician at the birth of my first to check baby over all fine and they did an ecg (trace of the heart) and at the 2nd they just checked her over before we went home.

U should/will be closely monitored as u have these antibodies and in rare cases the baby can have neonatal lupus but I think that is only initially??? Doesn't mean they have lupus forever as far as I'm aware