title: Thrombophilia screening in pregnancy.
abstract: Thromboembolism in pregnancy is a major contributor to pregnancy morbidity and mortality with potentially serious adverse effects for both mother and fetus. The purposes of this article are to explore the impact of heritable and acquired thrombophilias on pregnancy and to determine the appropriateness of screening for thrombophilias in pregnancy. In determining the appropriateness of screening, attention was given to the changes that occur in the coagulation and fibrinolytic systems during normal pregnancy. The impact of different heritable and acquired thrombophilias on maternal venous thromboembolism, fetal loss, and its impact on certain obstetric conditions are then explored. Guidelines and conclusions are made as to the appropriateness of screening.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Obstetricians & Gynecologists, Family Physicians.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  After completion of this article, the reader should be able to list the various thrombophilias associate with pregnancy, to describe the impact of thrombophilias on pregnancy, and to outline the appropriate screening guidelines for thrombophilias during pregnancy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of the Free State, South Africa. do-jo@mweb.co.za
authors.forename: Dorothy-Jo
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Jordaan
authors.forename: Martinus Gerhardus
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Schoon
authors.forename: Philip Nel
authors.initials: PN
authors.lastname: Badenhorst
mesh_terms: D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D005260:Female; D005313:Fetal Death; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening; D011247:Pregnancy; D011249:Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular / Q000175:diagnosis*; D019851:Thrombophilia / Q000175:diagnosis*; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000175:diagnosis*