High Prevalence of Activated Protein C Resistance Due to Factor V Leiden Mutation in Cases of Intrauterine Fetal Death

Objective: To test a possible association between activated protein C resistance and intrauterine fetal death.

Methods: The activated protein C anticoagulant activity and factor V R506Q mutation were assessed in 14 nonpregnant women with a history of intrauterine fetal death and 14 healthy controls.

Results: Four women in the study group were heterozygotes for the factor V mutation and none of the controls. The mean activated protein C activity of the study group was statistically significantly lower than that of the controls (P = 0.013).

Conclusion: Resistance to activated protein C activity may be of etiologic importance in some cases of intrauterine fetal death.