COMPONENTS OF THE HAEMOSTATIC MECHANISM AT BIRTH IN PRE-ECLAMPSIA WITH PARTICULAR REFERENCE TO FETAL GROWTH RETARDATION

Influence of pre-eclampsia on concentrations of haemostatic factors in mothers and infants

The effect of pre-eclampsia on selected maternal and neonatal coagulation factors was studied by comparing plasma concentrations in 5 severely pre-eclamptic and 5 normal pregnancies. Pre-eclampsia was associated with appreciably lower maternal values of antithrombin III, plasminogen, and platelet count in late pregnancy but umbilical cord blood values showed no notable differences from normal pregnancy.

Haemostatic mechanisms in maternal, umbilical vein and umbilical artery blood at the time of delivery

Studies of the haemostatic mechanism were made on paired samples from the umbilical vein and artery and from a maternal peripheral vein immediately following delivery in 80 healthy patients with uncomplicated pregnancies. Neonatal blood showed a significant decrease in clotting 'activity' and platelet function, and a significant increase in fibrinolytic activity. The umbilical vein, in in comparison to the umbilical artery, showed increased clotting 'activity' increased platelet function and decreased fibrinolytic activity. The possible adverse influence of the placenta on haemostasis in the fetus and newborn is discussed.