Increased Factor VIII related antigen levels in hydatidiform molar pregnancy

Abstract

Serum Factor VIII related antigen (Factor VIII R:Ag) levels were determined by the Laurell rocket immunoelectrophoresis in 32 patients with hydatidiform mole before evacuation of the uterus and in 272 normal pregnant women. The level of Factor VIII R:Ag was expressed as a percentage of a normal standard consisting of a pooled sera from 20 normal non-pregnant women. Factor VIII R:Ag levels in normal pregnancy increased with periods of gestation, reaching the highest level in the third trimester. The mean ± S.D. level of Factor VIII R:Ag in patients with hydatidiform mole (254% ± 76%) was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than those of the first and second trimesters of normal pregnancy (143% ± 46% and 187% ± 48%, respectively) and was similar to that of the third trimester (225% ± 73%). The increase in Factor VIII R:Ag levels in hydatidiform mole patients was probably related to the hypercoagulation state of pregnancy and chronic low-grade disseminated intravascular coagulation in molar pregnancy.