title: [Protein C deficiency and pregnancy. Apropos of 2 case reports].
abstract: Protein C is a protein found in the serum, dependent on vitamin K. It is a strong protection against venous thrombosis. Deficiency in protein C, whether constitutional or acquired, can give rise to thrombo-embolic accidents in young patients without any obvious triggering factor. The authors start by describing the physiological features of protein C. Deficiencies of this protein are transferred through a dominant autosome. Two cases are described where protein C deficiency occurred in pregnancy. This association has not been previously described. They then discuss the kinetics of protein C in pregnancy, at delivery and in the newborn. They then point out how important it is to treat with anticoagulants in prophylactic doses during the pregnancy. They use repeated doses of Heparin as an anticoagulant and for its antivitamin K action following the delivery. They give a list of precautions that have to be observed in this relay system which should be slow and carefully worked out later. Obstetrical observation has to look for the onset of pre-eclampsia and intra-uterine growth retardation due to placental microthrombi. The authors conclude, after pointing out the frequency and the seriousness of this condition, by proposing that it should systematically be looked for in families where there have been cases of thrombo-embolic accidents.
authors.affiliation: Service de Gynécologie-Obstétrique, Hôpital de la Croix-Rousse, Lyon.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gaucherand
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Clément
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Trzeciak
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Rudigoz
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Salle
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000097:blood* / Q000503:physiopathology; D020151:Protein C Deficiency
vernacular_title: Déficit en protéine C et grossesse. A propos de deux observations.