title: Coagulation factors in the human fetus of about 20 weeks of gestational age.
abstract: In plasma samples of 11 fetuses of about 20 weeks of gestational age the following coagulation factors have been determined (mean values found are given in parentheses): fibrinogen (0.30 U/ml), prothrombin (+/-0.17 U/ml), factor V (0.28 U/ml), factor VII (0.21 U/ml), factor VIII coagulant activity (factor VIII:C) (0.12 U/ml), factor VIII-related antigen (factor VIIIR:Ag) (1.04 U/ml), coagulant factor VIII-related antigen (factor VII:CAg) (0.19 U/ml), factor IX coagulant activity (0.05 U/ml), factor IX antigen (less than or equal to 0.03 U/ml), factor X (0,19 U/ml) and antithrombin III (AT-III) (0.23 U/ml). Our data support the evidence that prenatal diagnosis of haemophilia A is at present possible; less optimism is warranted where haemophilia B is concerned. the number of samples is sufficient to establish normal values for the age group. Means of quality control of the sample-which is often difficult to obtain-are disscussed.
mesh_terms: D001779:Blood Coagulation Factors / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000032:analysis*; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007123:Immunoelectrophoresis, Two-Dimensional; D008297:Male
chemical_list: D001779:Blood Coagulation Factors