Severe preeclampsia associated with coinheritance of factor V Leiden mutation and protein S deficiency

Abstract

Background: Inherited thrombophilic disorders are associated with an increased risk of venous thromboembolism during pregnancy. Preliminary research suggests that these disorders might also increase the risk for preeclampsia.

Case: A 29-year-old primigravida developed severe, early onset preeclampsia and postpartum deep venous thrombosis. Subsequent testing revealed coinheritance of the factor V Leiden mutation and protein S deficiency. Heparin prophylaxis was administered during two subsequent pregnancies without recurrence of either preeclampsia or venous thromboembolism.

Conclusion: Our patient's inherited thrombophilia may have played a role in the development of preeclampsia, and anticoagulation during subsequent pregnancies may have prevented preeclampsia recurrence. An association between inherited thrombophilic disorders and preeclampsia is biologically plausible.