Vitamin K Dependent Proteins in Fetal Hemostasis at Mid Trimester of Pregnancy

Summary

The vitamin K dependent coagulation factor activities were measured in 63 normal human fetuses from 19 to 28 weeks of pregnancy. These activities were included between 9 to 28 percent of normal adult levels.

Prothrombin antigen, factor IX antigen and protein C were also measured. There is a good correlation between prothrombin procoagulant activity and antigenicity, suggesting that low level of these vitamin K dependent proteins in fetuses is probably a consequence of liver immaturity.

Keywords

Haemostasis - Fetus - Vitamin K

• References

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