Thrombophilia and fetal loss

Benjamin Brenner1

  • 1Thrombosis and Hemostasis Unit, Department of Hematology, Rambam Medical Center, Haifa, Israel. r_hadomi@rambam.health.gov.il

A large body of evidence obtained during the last 6 years suggests a significant role for inherited thrombophilia in the development of gestational vascular complications. Case-control studies demonstrated that thrombophilia is more prevalent in cohorts of women with pregnancy loss. Other complications such as preeclampsia, placental abruption, and intrauterine growth retardation may also be associated with thrombophilia. Placental pathologic findings in women with thrombophilia are hallmarked by thrombosis and fibrin deposition. Preliminary case-control studies suggest that low-molecular-weight heparins are effective in preventing pregnancy loss in women with thrombophilia and previous fetal wastage.

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