title: Protein C deficiency and pregnancy: a case report.
abstract: Protein C is thought to play a key role in the regulation of hemostasis, and its deficiency has been associated with an increased risk of thromboembolism. Protein C-deficient women are at particular risk of developing thromboembolic complications during pregnancy and delivery. The incidence of thromboembolic events is estimated to be 500-1000 times higher than in normal women. We report the case of a 26-year-old woman with previous iliofemoral deep vein thrombosis who experienced a successful pregnancy and delivery despite severe congenital protein C deficiency (protein C antigen and activity 25%). She was anticoagulated with heparin during the second part of her pregnancy. Our observation suggests that ambulatory full-dose subcutaneous heparin therapy during pregnancy constitutes adequate prevention. However, definite guidelines will require more extensive studies.
authors.affiliation: Hemostasis Unit, University Hospital of Geneva, Switzerland.
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Vogel
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: de Moerloose
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bounameaux
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001778:Blood Coagulation Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D006493:Heparin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D010375:Pedigree; D011247:Pregnancy; D011250:Pregnancy Complications, Hematologic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D020151:Protein C Deficiency; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D006493:Heparin