Prenatal screening for thrombophilias: indications and controversies.

A thrombophilia is defined as a disorder of hemostasis that predisposes a person to a thrombotic event. Data suggest that at least 50% of cases of venous thromboembolism in pregnant women are associated with an inherited or acquired thrombophilia, which can lead to an increased risk of maternal thromboembolism and adverse pregnancy outcomes such as recurrent pregnancy loss, intrauterine fetal demise, preterm preeclampsia, and intrauterine growth restriction. Inherited and acquired thrombophilias have different indications for testing. This article examines screening procedures for thrombophilias in the setting of adverse pregnancy outcomes.