Maternal Serum FDP and Circulating Fetal Red Cells throughout Pregnancy. A Longitudinal Study

M. S Hoq; J Pepper; R. J Prescott; J Robertson; J. D Cash

doi:10.1055/s-0038-1651465

Thrombosis and Haemostasis, Table of Contents

Thromb Haemost 1975; 34(03): 727-733
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1651465

Original Article

Schattauer GmbH

Maternal Serum FDP and Circulating Fetal Red Cells throughout Pregnancy. A Longitudinal Study

M. S Hoq

¹S-E Scotland Regional Blood Transfusion Centre, Simpson Memorial Maternity Pavilion, Royal Infirmary, and Medical Computing and Statistics Group, University, Edinburgh

,

J Pepper

¹S-E Scotland Regional Blood Transfusion Centre, Simpson Memorial Maternity Pavilion, Royal Infirmary, and Medical Computing and Statistics Group, University, Edinburgh

,

R. J Prescott

¹S-E Scotland Regional Blood Transfusion Centre, Simpson Memorial Maternity Pavilion, Royal Infirmary, and Medical Computing and Statistics Group, University, Edinburgh

,

J Robertson

¹S-E Scotland Regional Blood Transfusion Centre, Simpson Memorial Maternity Pavilion, Royal Infirmary, and Medical Computing and Statistics Group, University, Edinburgh

,

J. D Cash

¹S-E Scotland Regional Blood Transfusion Centre, Simpson Memorial Maternity Pavilion, Royal Infirmary, and Medical Computing and Statistics Group, University, Edinburgh

› Author Affiliations

Abstract

Summary

The presence of fetal red cells in the maternal circulation and the serum FDP content of 73 women was followed serially throughout a normal pregnancy. There was a significant increase in the mean serum FDP levels in late pregnancy, which was due to episodic elevations occurring in approximately 65% of women. These transient elevations appeared to increase in frequency and severity as pregnancy progressed. There was also an increase in the number of occasions fetal red cells were detected in the maternal circulation in the later months of pregnancy, but this phenomenon did not appear to be associated in any way to the serum FDP elevations. It is concluded that the episodic rises in serum FDP occurring in normal pregnancy are not related to episodes of occult disseminated intravascular coagulation secondary to placental haemorrhage as was previously hypothesized. Their etiology and clinical significance remain unknown.

Full Text

References

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