Genetic Blood Clotting Disorder Linked to Miscarriage

Around a third to a half of pregnant women with first-trimester bleeding may experience a miscarriage. The sad fact is that the real number can be even higher because many miscarriages are not reported. This data may help doctors better assess risks for mothers suffering from genetic blood clotting disorder and prevent further miscarriages.

One study involved 947 pregnant women who had been diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism and 866 pregnant women who were free of any blood clotting disorder. The incidence of miscarriage in both groups was analyzed using data from their medical records.

6 Causes of Genetic Blood Clotting Disorder That Causes Miscarriage

Most miscarriages are caused by chromosomal defects in the embryo. External factors can cause miscarriage, such as smoking, drinking alcohol, taking drugs and stress. The six most common causes of genetic blood clotting disorder that cause miscarriage include:

1. Factor V Leiden

Factor V Leiden is a genetic condition in which the body produces an abnormal form of a blood protein called factor V. This gene mutation causes a fault in your blood’s ability to clot, which can make it more likely than usual to have a miscarriage following major trauma or surgery.

2. Protein C Deficiency

Protein C is an anti-clotting protein secreted by the liver that helps reduce the risk of clots forming and breaking off. A deficiency could cause your blood to take longer to clot and increase your risk of unnatural birth.

3. Protein S Deficiency

Like factor V, protein S is a protein that reduces the clotting activity in your blood, and having a deficiency could cause you to be more likely to have an unnatural birth.

4. Hereditary Thrombophilia

Having too much fibrinogen or increased sensitivity to activation of platelets can also lead to miscarriage and pregnancy bleeding. However, other anti-clotting factors in your body may lack an insufficiency that could lead to an unnatural birth.

5. Antiphospholipid Syndrome

APS occurs when the body produces antibodies against phospholipids, which can cause blood clots to form abnormally. It is responsible for 60% of miscarriages that occur in the first trimester.

6. Oxidized LDL Cholesterol

Over 95% of women with oxidized LDL cholesterol will have an unnatural birth. A high level of oxidized LDL cholesterol can lead to a reduction in the levels of factor V, protein C and protein S, which increases your risk for blood clots and miscarriage.

What Should Pregnant Women with Genetic Blood Clotting do to Avoid Miscarriage?

Pregnant women should talk to their doctor and have a blood test if:

• They are more than 10 weeks pregnant
• The pregnancy may be considered high risk
• There is bleeding in the first trimester (first 12 weeks of pregnancy)

Preventive measures

1. Check your health status: Visit the doctor frequently and make sure that you are healthy, as this will help to decrease your risk of an unnatural birth in the first place.
2. Check blood clotting levels: If you have abnormal blood clotting levels, it could affect the development of your pregnancy, with an increased chance of miscarriage.
3. Avoid smoking: Smoking inhibits the action of factor V and protein C, which both play a role in blood clotting, with the result that the levels of both are reduced and therefore increase your risk for unnatural birth.
4. Take folic acid supplements: Folic acid is vitamin B9, which is used as an anti-clotting agent in your body and can reduce the chances of your fetus developing a neural tube defect during pregnancy or after giving birth.
5. Avoid alcohol: Alcohol reduces your clotting capabilities, and it can also affect the clotting capabilities of the baby, increasing your chances of miscarriage.
6. Take anticoagulants: If you have a genetic disorder and suffer from miscarriage, take anticoagulants that increase your chances of a successful pregnancy. These include heparin, which must be taken daily to prevent a blood clot. This particularly applies if you have factor V Leiden.

Bottom Line

Women who have abnormal blood clotting levels and suffer from miscarriage should visit the doctor regularly. Get a blood test and talk to your doctor to determine the best course of treatment.