ISSN 2997-1036
International Journal of Hematology | Vol. 1, No. 6, June 2010 | pp. 41–48
DOI: 10.46882/2010/IJH/000006
Original Article
Title: Evaluation of D-dimer and fibrinogen levels in pre-eclamptic women as predictive markers of disseminated intravascular coagulation
Names of Authors: B. C. Emeka¹, C. D. Nwachukwu², D. E. Okon³
Authors’ Affiliations: ¹Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria; ²Department of Haematology, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar, Nigeria; ³Department of Chemical Pathology, University of Uyo, Uyo, Nigeria
Abstract: Pre-eclampsia frequently disrupts hemostatic balance, precipitating life-threatening consumptive coagulopathies. A case-control study was performed on 110 pregnant women with severe pre-eclampsia and 110 normotensive pregnant controls matched for gestational age. Plasma D-dimer and serum fibrinogen concentrations were quantified using immunoturbidimetric assays. Mean D-dimer levels were significantly elevated in the severe pre-eclampsia group (1.85 ± 0.62 mg/L) compared to normotensive controls (0.42 ± 0.15 mg/L, P < 0.001). Conversely, plasma fibrinogen levels showed a progressive decline corresponding to disease severity, dropping to 2.10 ± 0.45 g/L in pre-eclamptic cases versus 3.50 ± 0.60 g/L in controls. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis established a D-dimer threshold value above 1.40 mg/L as having 86.4% sensitivity and 81.2% specificity for identifying early prothrombotic transitions toward disseminated intravascular coagulation. Serial monitoring of these parameters provides critical diagnostic utility for obstetricians managing severe hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.
Keywords: Pre-eclampsia, D-dimer, fibrinogen, disseminated intravascular coagulation, hemostasis
Manuscript Timeline: Received: March 14, 2010; Revised: April 25, 2010; Accepted: May 10, 2010; Published: June 16, 2010