Evaluation of coagulation abnormalities among women with vaginal bleeding in the first trimester of pregnancy

Abstract Objective To compare blood coagulation parameters between pregnant women with vaginal bleeding in the first trimester of pregnancy and pregnant women with normal pregnancy in the first trimester. Methods A prospective controlled study of 98 women in the first trimester of vital pregnancy was conducted at the University Medical Centre Maribor, Slovenia. The study group comprised women with vaginal bleeding (n = 50) while the control group women with normal pregnancy, admitted for artificial abortion (n = 48). Prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), fibrinogen concentration, number of platelets, hemogram, coagulation factor VIII (FVIII) and von Willebrand factor (VWF) activity were compared between the 2 groups. Results No significant between-group differences were detected in mean PT, fibrinogen concentration, FVIII, and VWF activity. Mean aPTT was significantly higher in the control group than the study group (32.47 versus 30.46 seconds; P < 0.05). The mean number of platelets was significantly lower in the study group than the control group (181.69 versus 203.52 × 109 /L; P < 0.05). All measured coagulation parameters, except VWF activity, were within normal ranges. Conclusion Coagulation abnormalities are rarely the cause of vaginal bleeding in the first trimester of pregnancy among women with no previous symptoms of bleeding disorders.