Hypofibrinogenemia in the dead fetus syndrome treated with aminocaproic acid

Abstract

A case of dead fetus syndrome with hyperfibrinogenemia and increased fibrinolytic activity has been presented. A profound clotting failure occurred in this patient even in the absence of uterine contractions where presumably thromboplastin and fibrinolytic substances are rapidly extruded into the maternal circulation. The patient was observed for 6 weeks prior to delivery, and the erythroblastotic fetus was found to have been dead for approximately 5 weeks. The thrombin time test and the blood clot lysis test are satisfactory, but the “Fi” test is recommended as an aid to diagnosis. An adequate fibrinogen level was not necessarily synonymous with effective hemos tasis until the addition of aminocaproic acid decreased the elevated fibrinolytic activity. A case of dead fetus syndrome with hyperfibrinogenemia and increased fibrinolytic activity has been presented. A profound clotting failure occurred in this patient even in the absence of uterine contractions where presumably thromboplastin and fibrinolytic substances are rapidly extruded into the maternal circulation. The patient was observed for 6 weeks prior to delivery, and the erythroblastotic fetus was found to have been dead for approximately 5 weeks. The thrombin time test and the blood clot lysis test are satisfactory, but the “Fi” test is recommended as an aid to diagnosis. An adequate fibrinogen level was not necessarily synonymous with effective hemos tasis until the addition of aminocaproic acid decreased the elevated fibrinolytic activity.