Difference in the D-dimer rise between women with singleton and multifetal pregnancies

Abstract

Introduction: The differences in the d-dimer rise between women with singleton and multifetal pregnancies have not been studied extensively.

Materials and methods: d-Dimer levels were determined in 1089 blood specimens from 1089 women in various stages of pregnancy, including 977 and 112 women with singleton and multifetal pregnancies, respectively. None of the 1089 women developed hypertension or clinical venous thromboembolism during pregnancy or in the postpartum period.

Results: The D-dimer levels were significantly and positively correlated with gestational week at examination in women with singleton or multifetal pregnancies. The d-dimer levels (μg/ml, mean ± SD [number of specimens]) determined at the 1st trimester did not differ significantly (0.81 ± 0.82 [102] for singleton vs. 1.20 ± 0.77 [7] for multifetal), but those at the 2nd (1.61 ± 1.45 [216] vs. 2.62 ± 2.26 [59]) and 3rd (2.37 ± 2.22 [659] vs. 4.02 ± 2.14 [46]) trimesters were significantly higher in women with multifetal than singleton pregnancies. The 90th percentile value was 4.31 μg/ml for 1089 specimens. A significantly greater number of women exceeded 4.31 μg/ml during the 2nd (16.9% vs. 5.6%, P=0.0043) and 3rd (34.8% vs. 10.6%, P < 0.0001) trimesters among those with multifetal than with singleton pregnancies.

Conclusions: The degree of D-dimer rise in pregnancy was greater in women with multifetal than with singleton pregnancies.