Anti-[beta]2 Glycoprotein I Antibodies in Children with Rheumatologic Disorders

Anti-beta-2-glycoprotein I antibodies (anti-[beta]2GPI) which are the main antiphospholipid antibodies that characterize the autoimmune "antiphospholipid syndrome" are pathogenic and are contributing to thrombosis. We aimed to evaluate the presence and the diagnostic importance of these antibodies in children with different rheumatologic diseases with or without thrombosis risk. A total of 100 children with different rheumatologic diseases evaluated retrospectively. The mean anti-[beta]2GPI IgG (p = 0.108), IgA (p = 0.547), and IgM (p = 0.807) levels showed no statistically significant difference between different diagnosis groups. But anti-[beta]2GPI IgA and IgM levels were higher in SLE patient group. The mean anti-[beta]2GPI IgG (p = 0.375), IgA (p = 0.811), and IgM (p = 0.276) levels were not also showed difference between disease groups with/without predisposition to thrombosis even though concentrations were higher in thrombosis group. In children with rheumatological complaints, anti-[beta]2GPI antibody measurements should not be the first diagnostic criteria if vasculitis is not thought as the primary defect underlying the clinical symptoms.