Circulating Levels of Fibrin/Fibrinogen Degradation Fragment E in Normal Pregnancy, and in Association With Intrauterine Growth Retardation and Perinatal Asphyxia

Levels of fibrin/fibrinogen degradation products have been measured by aspecific and sensitive radioimmunoassay for degradation fragment E (FgE) in pregnant patients. Maternal FgE levels rose from the 16th week reaching a plateau at the 36th week in normal pregnancy. There was no correlation between maternal FgE levels and maternal age, parity or the occurrence of perinatal asphyxia. A minority of patients (5 per cent) with evidence of intrauterine growth retardation showed prolonged elevation of FgE levels.