Factor XII deficiency is strongly associated with primary recurrent abortions

Pauer, Hans-Ulrich; Burfeind, Peter; Köstering, Heinz; Emons, Günter; Hinney, Bernd

doi:10.1016/S0015-0282(03)00788-X

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Volume 80, Issue 3 , Pages 590-594, September 2003

Factor XII deficiency is strongly associated with primary recurrent abortions

Hans-Ulrich Pauer, M.D.
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital of Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany
- Reprint requests: Hans-Ulrich Pauer, M.D., Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Goettingen, Robert-Koch-Strasse 40, D-37075, Goettingen, Germany (FAX: 49-551-399303).
Peter Burfeind, Ph.D.
- Department of Human Genetics, University Hospital of Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany
Heinz Köstering, M.D.
- Department of Internal Medicine (Hematology), University Hospital of Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany
Günter Emons, M.D.
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital of Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany
Bernd Hinney, M.D.
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital of Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany

Received 28 October 2002; received in revised form 13 February 2003; accepted 13 February 2003.

Abstract

Objective

To evaluate factor XII deficiency in women with primary and secondary recurrent abortion.

Design

Prospective case–control study.

Setting

University hospital.

Patient(s)

Sixty-seven women with primary and 33 women with secondary recurrent abortion of unexplained nature and 49 healthy controls with no history of thrombotic disease or adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Main outcome measure(s)

Plasma factor XII activity, activated protein C resistance, factor V Leiden mutation analysis, protein C, protein S, antithrombin III, karyotyping, and anticardiolipin antibodies.

Result(s)

Ten of 67 women with primary recurrent abortion (14.9%) and 4 of 33 women (12.1%) with secondary recurrent abortion had reduced factor XII activity (<60%). These results are highly significant in the former group and showed a tendency toward significance in the latter group. All controls had normal factor XII activity.

Conclusion(s)

Factor XII deficiency is strongly associated with primary recurrent abortion, and women with secondary recurrent abortion show a tendency toward factor XII deficiency.