title: Changes in the levels of factor VIII and von Willebrand factor in the puerperium.
abstract: To determine changes in Factor VIII (FVIII) and von Willebrand Factor (VWF) in the first 3 days of the puerperium. A prospective study assessing FVIII clotting activity, VWF activity and antigen levels in 95 women (with singleton uncomplicated pregnancies) during labour and on days 1, 2 and 3 of the puerperium. There were no significant differences in FVIII, VWF:Ag and VWF:CB on days 1 and 2 of the puerperium compared with levels during labour. There was a significant decrease in VWF:Ag (P = 0.009) and VWF:CB (P = 0.04) on day 3. Age, ethnicity, duration of labour and mode of delivery did not have any significant effect on the changes in FVIII and VWF levels. The pregnancy induced increase in FVIII and VWF is maintained in the first 48 h after delivery. VWF levels start to decline on day 3 postdelivery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Royal Free Hospital, London, UK.
authors.forename: F Y
authors.initials: FY
authors.lastname: Huq
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kulkarni
authors.forename: E C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Agbim
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Riddell
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tuddenham
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Kadir
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005169:Factor VIII / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D049590:Postpartum Period / Q000097:blood*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult; D014841:von Willebrand Factor / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D014841:von Willebrand Factor; D005169:Factor VIII