Expressing support for testing for antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) as a standard part of prenatal screening, and for other purposes.

Expressing support for testing for antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) as a standard part of prenatal screening, and for other purposes.

Whereas antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is a condition in which the immune system of an individual mistakenly produces antibodies that increase the risk of blood clots;

Whereas APS can increase the risk of miscarriages, stillbirths, and pregnancy complications;

Whereas professional medical associations and guideline-setting bodies do not recommend testing for APS as a standard part of prenatal screening;

Whereas professional medical associations and guideline-setting bodies recommend testing for APS only if a woman has an unexplained fetal loss after 10 weeks or 3 or more unexplained embryonic losses (miscarriages);

Whereas APS is responsible for about 15 percent of recurrent pregnancy losses;

Whereas the total number of miscarriages caused by APS is unknown because it is not tested as part of normal prenatal screening;

Whereas APS can be detected by a blood test and treated by blood thinners; and

Whereas testing for APS during normal prenatal screening can save babies and reduce grief for women and families: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the House of Representatives—

(1) supports testing for antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) as a standard part of prenatal screening; and

(2) calls upon professional medical associations and guideline-setting bodies to update their recommendations to include testing for APS as a standard part of prenatal screening.