Haemostatic mechanisms in maternal, umbilical vein and umbilical artery blood at the time of delivery.
Studies of the haemostatic mechanism were made on paired samples from the umbilical vein and artery and from a maternal peripheral vein immediately following delivery in 80 healthy patients with uncomplicated pregnancies. Neonatal blood showed a significant decrease in clotting 'activity' and platelet function, and a significant increase in fibrinolytic activity. The umbilical vein, in in comparison to the umbilical artery, showed increased clotting 'activity' increased platelet function and decreased fibrinolytic activity. The possible adverse influence of the placenta on haemostasis in the fetus and newborn is discussed.
D001777:Blood Coagulation; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000502:physiology*; D005342:Fibrinolysis; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D010920:Placenta / Q000502:physiology; D010974:Platelet Aggregation; D011247:Pregnancy; D014469:Umbilical Arteries; D014471:Umbilical Veins