Severe pregnancy complications are associated with elevated factor VIII plasma activity

Blood Coagul Fibrinolysis. 2012 Apr;23(3):184-8. doi: 10.1097/MBC.0b013e32834ee15b.

Abstract

The objective of this study is to investigate the prevalence of elevated factor VIII activity among women with severe complications of pregnancy. The study group included 49 patients with a previous history of pregnancy complications: severe preeclampsia (n = 9); intrauterine fetal death (IUFD) (n = 9); severe intrauterine fetal growth restriction (IUGR) (n = 12); IUGR and preeclampsia (n = 7); preeclampsia and placental abruption (n = 2); IUFD and IUGR (n = 5); and abruptio placenta (n = 5). The control group included 49 healthy women who had had at least one normal pregnancy. Seventeen women of the study group (34.6%) had elevated factor VIII activity compared to one woman (2.1%) in the control group (P < 0.05). The mean level of factor VIII was 159 ± 52% and 88 ± 17.4% of normal activity (mean ± SD, t-test, P < 0.05). Importantly, 10 women of the study group (20.4%) had only elevated factor VIII activity with no other known thrombophilia compared to one woman (2.1%) in the control group (P < 0.05). Elevated plasma activity of factor VIII might be a risk factor for severe pregnancy complications.

MeSH terms

  • Abruptio Placentae / blood*
  • Abruptio Placentae / etiology
  • Adult
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Factor VIII / analysis*
  • Female
  • Fetal Death / blood*
  • Fetal Death / etiology
  • Fetal Growth Retardation / blood*
  • Fetal Growth Retardation / etiology
  • Humans
  • Pre-Eclampsia / blood*
  • Pre-Eclampsia / etiology
  • Pregnancy
  • Risk Factors
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Stillbirth
  • Thrombophilia / blood*
  • Thrombophilia / complications

Substances

  • Factor VIII