Peripheral blood level of natural killer cells in pregnant women with recurrent spontaneous abortion during the 6–12 weeks gestation

摘要

Background and Aim: The study was performed to confirm the clinical characteristics and peripheral blood level of natural killer (NK) cells as a diagnostic index in women with recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) comparing with normal pregnant women. Materials and Methods: Consultation with all patients was conducted to obtain the number and timing of previous miscarriages and signs and symptoms of abortion progress. Assessment of peripheral blood NK cell level was performed by flowcytometric analyses. Results: Women with RSA have brown-colored vaginal bleeding and history of more than three consecutive miscarriage, while the percentage of peripheral blood NK cell within blood lymphocytes was more than 18.1%. Conclusion: In the current study, RSA patients (6–12 weeks') showed significantly higher level of peripheral blood NK cells (18.1%) compared to that of normal gravidas. Further studies are required to clarify the precise mechanism how NK cells affect the progression of healthy pregnancy and investigate clinical evidence whether therapies to lower the level of NK cells can decrease the rate of RSA.