Transient focal neurological deficits during pregnancy in carriers of inherited thrombophilia

Background and Purpose-The aim of our study was to investigate the associat ion of transient ischemic cerebrovascular events during pregnancy and inher ited thrombophilias. Methods-The study group comprised previously healthy pregnant women who had their first ischemic event during pregnancy (n=12). The control group incl uded 24 healthy women matched with the study women for age, ethnicity, and smoking status, All women were evaluated for factor V Leiden mutation, meth ylenetetrahydrofolate reductase C677T gene mutation, the G20210A mutation i n the prothrombin gene, and deficiencies of plasma proteins C and S and ant ithrombin III. Results-Inherited thrombophilia was detected in 83% of women with transient neurological manifestations compared with 17% of the control group (P<0.00 1). Conclusions-Transient cerebrovascular ischemic events during pregnancy are associated with a high rate of inherited thrombophilias. Pregnant women wit h focal neurological symptoms should be evaluated for thrombophilia.