Recurrent miscarriage, stillbirth, preeclampsia, poor fetal growth, preterm delivery and bleeding in pregnancy are influenced by low levels of the anti-clotting proteins Z and S, report School of Medicine researchers in the March issue of Journal of Thrombosis and Hemostasis.
"Our findings will help clinicians determine early in pregnancy, which women will have healthy pregnancies and which women will develop complications," says lead author Dr. Michael Paidas, associate professor and director of the Program for Thrombosis and Hemostasis in Women's Health, part of the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences at the School of Medicine. Paidas conducted the study with colleagues at the Bio-Reference Laboratory in Elmwood Park, New Jersey.
Early in pregnancy, low levels of a novel anti-clotting factor, protein Z, and protein S may act together with other genetic clotting tendencies to adversely affect pregnancy, according to the study. Testing for these proteins can help determine which women with inherited clotting problems are at risk for pregnancy complications and how they should be treated.
The study included 103 women with normal pregnancies, 106 women with pregnancy complications, and 20 women with inherited clotting conditions, which affects about 20% of Caucasian women.
"In early pregnancy, patients with low levels of protein Z have a four-fold higher risk of pregnancy complications," says Paidas. "Based on our data, we speculate that protein S free antigen levels below 29% may be associated with clotting-related pregnancy complications."
About 15% of U.S. pregnancies each year are marked by complications, putting these women at higher risk for complications in future pregnancies. Paidas says this study leads the growing evidence that inherited clotting conditions can dramatically add to the risk of pregnancy complications.
Women with prior pregnancies complicated by fetal loss, preeclampsia, growth restriction or bleeding may contact Paidas for testing at Yale Maternal-Fetal Medicine, (203) 785-5682.
Other authors on the study are D-H W. Ku, M-J. Lee, S. Manish, A. Thurston, Charles J. Lockwood and Y.S. Arkel.
-- By Karen Peart
T H I S
W E E K ' SS T O R I E S
BPA in plastic food containers harmful to brain, says study
FORE! Scientist's invention helps add zing to golf swing
Festival offers family fun and cultural activities
Lynch uses technological know-how to create . . .
ENDOWED PROFESSORSHIPSRonald R. Breaker appointed to Henry Ford II Professorship
Anna Marie Pyle is new William Edward Gilbert Professor
Daniel E. Rosner is named to Llewellyn West Jones Jr. chair
Paul Van Tassel designated as Lee Associate Professor
Research sheds more light on brain's role in face recognition
Former Mexican president Ernesto Zedillo to give a public lecture
Activist Peruvian theater troupe in residence during April
Olympic soccer star to talk about 'Going for Gold' as Kiphuth Fellow
Grants support special initiatives of the Yale Library
Conference participants aim to re-envision . . .
'Simply Ming!' chef will give campus talk
SCHOOL OF MEDICINE NEWSResearch: For many smokers, potential risks of quitting . . .
Symposium will offer latest news on risks and treatment of stress
Study finds low levels of anti-clotting proteins early in pregnancy . . .
Investigators discover that a molecule important in cell . . .
Regionalizing care for heart attacks in U.S. problematic
Symposium will address the 'disconnect' between research and policy . . .
Conference to explore Korean-American relations . . .
Conference to explore wide-ranging impact of parliamentary rule
Yale Press book co-authored by F&ES scholar . . .
Scholars explored the themes of tradition and modernity . . .
Improved relations
Campus Notes
Bulletin Home|Visiting on Campus|Calendar of Events|In the News
Bulletin Board|Classified Ads|Search Archives|Deadlines
Bulletin Staff|Public Affairs|News Releases|
E-Mail Us|Yale Home