Thrombophilia and pregnancy complications

Thrombophilic risk factors are common and can be found in 15% to 25% of Caucasian populations. Since pregnancy is an acquired hypercoagulable state, women harboring thrombophilia may present with clinical symptoms of vascular complications for the first time during gestation or at the postpartum period(1). Women with thrombophilia may have an increased risk of placental vascular complications, including pregnancy loss, preeclampsia, intrauterine growth restriction, and placental abruption. Accumulating data suggest that maternal antithrombotic prophylaxis may result in improved gestational outcome. Randomized trials are under way and hopefully will optimize maternal and neonatal outcome. Copyright (c) 2006 S. Karger AG, Basel.