A SERIAL STUDY OF COAGULATION FACTORS XII, XI AND X IN PLASMA IN NORMAL PREGNANCY AND IN PREGNANCY COMPLICATED BY PRE‐ECLAMPSIA

Abstract

A serial study of coagulation factors XII, XI and X in plasma has been carried out on 60 primigravidae, prospectively comparing those who remained normal with those who developed pre‐eclampsia. In the normal group of 48 patients, the levels of all factors rose as pregnancy advanced, a secondary increase in factors XI and X occurring in the puerperium. Cord levels of all three factors were depressed. In the pre‐eclampsia group of 12 patients, factor XII was significantly higher than in the normal group throughout the study, while factors XI and X were slightly lower. Observed changes failed to support the idea of a strong primary role for the coagulation mechanism in the pathogenesis of pre‐eclampsia. Copyright © 1976, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved