Levels of thrombin-activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor and platelet-activating factor in recurrent pregnancy loss patients.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate factors associated with thrombosis that may contribute to recurrent pregnancy loss (habitual abortion), specifically differences in serum levels of platelet-activating factor and thrombin-activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (carboxypeptidase B2) between women with a history of recurrent miscarriage and those with no recurrent miscarriage history. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A case-controlled, prospective study design was adopted to compare women with a history of two or more first-trimester miscarriages (n = 42) with those with no history of recurrent miscarriage (n = 36). Participants were recruited from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Turgut Ozal University Hospital. Platelet-activating factor and thrombin-activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor levels in serum samples were measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Platelet-activating factor levels were significantly (p = 0.018) higher in the recurrent miscarriage group. There was no difference in levels of thrombin-activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor expression between the groups. CONCLUSION: Platelet-activating factor is significantly higher in serum of patients with a history of recurrent miscarriage than in those without such a history, with potential implications for placental function and fetal growth, which could be relevant to miscarriage recurrence. Larger studies are indicated to further examine these findings.

Relationship between placental localisation, birth weight, umbilical Doppler parameters, and foetal sex.

BACKGROUND/AIM: The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between placental localisation, birth weight, and foetal sex. It also evaluates umbilical artery Doppler parameters and their relationship with placental localisation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective study of 500 healthy pregnant women who gave birth at our university. All women had undergone a detailed ultrasound and Doppler examination at 20-23 weeks. The ultrasonography results of the patients were examined retrospectively. Foetal biometry, birth weight, and umbilical artery Doppler parameters were recorded and compared according to placental localisation. RESULTS: Birth weight was significantly higher in foetuses with anteriorly located placenta. The incidence of female foetuses was higher (62%) in relation to anteriorly located placentas, whereas male incidence was higher (51.9%) in relation to posterior placentas. A comparison of Doppler parameters betiveen groups revealed significantly higher pulsatility index (PI) and resistance index (RI) values in posteriorly located placentas. CONCLUSION: Foetal sex might affect placental localisation. Doppler parameters and birth weight might also differ according to placental side. These factors should be taken into consideration during the evaluation of obstetric patients.