Severe preeclampsia and high frequency of genetic thrombophilic mutations

Abstract

Objective: To determine whether severe preeclampsia is associated with genetic thrombophilic mutations or other types of thrombophilia.

Methods: A case-control study compared 63 consecutive women with severe preeclampsia evaluated at our institution between November 1997 and April 1999 with 126 control women matched for age and ethnicity. All of these women were tested several months after delivery for mutations of factor V Leiden, methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase, and prothrombin gene; for deficiencies of protein C, protein S, and antithrombin-III; and for the presence of anticardiolipin antibodies.

Results: Thirty-five study women (56%) had a thrombophilic mutation compared with 24 control women (19%), P <.001. Seven other study women (11%) had other thrombophilias, compared with one control woman (0.8%), P <.01. Within the study group, women with thrombophilia delivered at an earlier gestational age, and their neonates' birth weights were lower compared with those of women without thrombophilia.

Conclusion: Because thrombophilia was found in 67% of women with severe preeclampsia, we suggest that women who have severe preeclampsia should be tested for thrombophilia.