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Review ofLiterature
appear that measurement ofserum iron concentration, although valuable
in confirmation, would be a poorpredictor ofpreeclampsia.
4 - Coagulation factors:
Evidence for the occurrence of abnormal coagulation processes and
platelet activation was originally based on the finding as early as 1893, of
fibrin deposits and thrombi in vessels ofvarious organs ofwomen who
died of eclampsia. In later years, all factors of extrinsic and intrinsic
coagulation system have been extensively studied in women with
preeclampsia. A complicated coagulation index has been proposed to
predict the clinical prognosis of pre-eclampsia (Davis, and Prentice,
1992).
Parameters which have been reported to indicate the subsequent
development of the disease are anti-thrombin III and factor VIII
consumption increase levels of Beta-thrombglobulin, a platelet specific
released during platelet activation have also been reported in women with
pre-eclampsia (Redman et at, 1977) .
Weiner and Brandt, (1982) reported lower levels ofantithrombin
activity in women with preeclampsia as compared to healthy pregnant
women. The level ofantithrombin III (AT III) activity began to decline
as much as 13 weeks prior to the development ofclinical manifestation.
Recently, attention has been focused on plasma level of fibronectin,
which is glycoprotein involved in coagulation, platelet function, tissue
repair, and the vascular endothelial basement membrane. Fibronectin
level was found to be markedly elevated in pre-eclamptic patients and
correlated with low antithrombin III levels and with the degree of
proteinuria (Saleh et at, 1987).
5· Fibronectins :
Fibronectins are a group of glycoproteins dispersed throughout the
body that serve two major functions.
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