Antithrombin III in African Women with Eclampsia

Abstract

The plasma levels of Antithrombin III, the main physiological inhibitor of blood coagulation, have been shown to be decreased in women with pregnancy induced hypertension. We measured the levels of antithrombin III in 20 non-gravid women; seven women with apparently normal pregnancies who delivered vaginally; ten women undergoing elective Caesarean section and 15 women admitted with a diagnosis of eclampsia. The levels of antithrombin III were significantly lower in the group with eclampsia when compared to the other groups. We conclude that A III levels are definitely decreased in women with eclampsia.