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Autoimmune Thyroid Disease in Pregnancy and the Postpartum Period

  • Chapter
Immunology of Endocrine Diseases

Part of the book series: Immunology and Medicine ((IMME,volume 3))

Abstract

Pregnancy represents a specific immunologic situation because the fetus is recognized by the maternal immune system as an allograft which needs protection from being rejected by the mother. Numerous factors have been proposed as possible mediators of an immunosuppressive effect on an antifetal allograft response1,2. These include local mechanisms in the placenta, presence of serum inhibitory factors and/or maternal cellular hyporeactivity (Table 10.1). However, the primary events behind the development of tolerance against the fetal allograft are still largely unknown.

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Authors
  1. R. Jansson
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  2. A. Karlsson
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine, University of Wales College of Medicine, Health Park, Cardiff, Wales, CF4 4XN, UK

    Alan M. McGregor (Senior Lecturer and Honorary Consultant Physician) (Senior Lecturer and Honorary Consultant Physician)

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Jansson, R., Karlsson, A. (1986). Autoimmune Thyroid Disease in Pregnancy and the Postpartum Period. In: McGregor, A.M. (eds) Immunology of Endocrine Diseases. Immunology and Medicine, vol 3. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-4171-7_10

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-4171-7_10

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-010-8352-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-009-4171-7

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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