Abstract

Aims: To examine whether coagulation-fibrinolysis in late pregnancy in women with twin pregnancies is more pronounced than in women with singleton pregnancies.

Patients and methods: The plasma levels of D-dimer, fibrinogen/fibrin degradation products (FDP), and fibrinogen, the platelet count, and the antithrombin activity were assessed from 3 weeks before delivery until postpartum day 7 in 48 women (24 singleton and 24 twin pregnancies) without preeclampsia who underwent cesarean sections.

Results: Women with singleton or twin pregnancies gave birth at 37.3±1.2 weeks or 35.2±1.4 weeks, respectively. Compared with singleton mothers, prenatal D-dimer and FDP levels were consistently and significantly higher among women with twin pregnancies. A significantly larger proportion of twin mothers exhibited prenatal levels of D-dimer >5.0 μg/mL, FDP >10.0 μg/mL, fibrinogen <420 mg/mL and antithrombin activity <70%. In addition, prenatal antithrombin activity in plasma was significantly lower.

Conclusions: Coagulation-fibrinolysis is more enhanced in women with twin gestation than in women with singleton gestation.