Factor V Leiden and G20210A prothrombin mutations are risk factors for very early recurrent miscarriage

Objective To determine whether there is an association between early recurrent miscarriage (before 10 weeks of pregnancy) and Factor V Leiden and G20210A prothrombin mutations.

Design A prospective study.

Setting Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Saint Antoine Hospital, Paris, France.

Population Two groups of women: those with early unexplained recurrent miscarriage before 10 weeks of pregnancy (n=260) and control healthy women without a previous history of thromboembolism (n=240).

Methods Screening for defects in the protein C anticoagulant pathway was performed using the anticoagulant response to agkistrodon confortrix venom (ACV test). Protein C and Factor V Leiden mutation testing was performed for each low ACV level. Each sample was tested for the G20210A prothrombin mutation.

Results Factor V Leiden and G20210A mutations were found to be associated with early recurrent spontaneous miscarriage before 10 weeks of pregnancy, the odds ratios being 2.4 (95% CI 1–5) and 2.7 (95% CI 1–7), respectively. Similar results were found whether or not women had had a previous live birth.

Conclusions Early recurrent miscarriage before 10 weeks of pregnancy is significantly associated with Factor V or G20210A prothrombin mutations. These results indicate a possible role for anticoagulant prevention in these early miscarriages.