Thrombophilias and stillbirth

Abstract

It is often postulated that both inherited and acquired thrombophilias increase the risk of stillbirth. In an attempt to reduce this theoretical risk, pregnant patients with prior fetal losses and thrombophilias are anticoagulated. However, there is no definitive proof that thrombophilias are causally linked to stillbirth. Prospective studies have failed to establish a definitive link between inherited thrombophilias and stillbirth. The extant literature suggests that only high concentrations of antiphospholipid antibodies are associated with stillbirth. Moreover, when pregnant women with prior fetal losses even in these cases are placed on anticoagulation, it is unclear that their recurrence risk of stillbirth decreases.