COAGULATION AND FIBRINOLYTIC PARAMETERS IN NORMAL-PREGNANCY AND IN PREGNANCY COMPLICATED BY INTRAUTERINE GROWTH-RETARDATION

The objective of this article is to evaluate the plasma levels of coag ulation and fibrinolysis parameters in the third trimester of gestatio n and 72 hr postdelivery. Antithrombin III (ATIII), thrombin-antithrom bin III complexes (TAT), heparin cofactor II (HCII), protein C (PC), p rotein S (PS), tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA), D-dimer, and plasm inogen activator inhibitors (PAI-1 and PAI-2) levels in uncomplicated pregnancies and in pregnancies complicated by intrauterine growth reta rdation (IUGR) have been determined. Normal pregnant women (n = 63) an d women whose was complicated by IUGR (n = 10) formed the study popula tion. Coagulation and fibrinolysis parameters were estimated using com ercial tests. There were no differences in ATIII, HCII, and PS levels between normal and IUGR pregnancies. TAT, t-PA, and D-dimer levels wer e higher in IUGR pregnancy than in the uncomplicated pregnancy group. PAI-1 and PAI-2 were found depressed in IUGR pregnancy when compared w ith normal pregnancy. Changes in coagulation and fibrinolytic systems occur in plasma of women with pregnancies complicated by IUGR. The res ults suggest an activation of the coagulation system in pregnancies co mplicated by IUGR. Reduced PAI-2 and high TAT levels correlate with bi rth weight. In IUGR pregnancies a hypercoagulative state with hyperfib rinolytic compensatory mechanisms is suggested.