One of the most important indicators, which doctors study in detail during the gestation period for a woman, is fibrinogen . It is a protein that plays a major role in the process of blood coagulation. Fibrinogen is produced by the liver cells, then, getting into the blood, under the influence of thrombin is converted into fibrin. The biochemical analysis of blood for fibrinogen, the norm of which is determined in the laboratory, is very important, both for the mother and for the fetus. It is due to fibrin that thrombi form, which reduce blood loss during labor.
The norm of fibrinogen in the blood
The norm of fibrinogen in healthy women is 2-4 grams per liter. During the development of the fetus in the womb, all the systems of the organism of the future mother undergo many changes, and also the level of this protein has a different meaning. So, the rate of fibrinogen in pregnancy is up to 6 grams per 1 liter of blood. This indicator begins to increase from about 3 months, and by the end of pregnancy reaches its maximum. This is due to the development of the utero-placental circulatory system. In addition, at the time of labor, there is a risk of losing a large amount of blood, so the body begins to produce protein, which contributes to its coagulability.
To determine the norm of fibrinogen, a pregnant woman is assigned a blood test - a coagulogram. The analysis is given in the morning on an empty stomach by taking blood from a finger or vein. A more detailed analysis is called a hemostasiogram. The doctor appoints the analysis in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd trimester of pregnancy. This indicator may vary slightly depending on the general condition and duration of pregnancy. So, in the first trimester the level of fibrinogen can fluctuate from 2.3 g to 5 g, in the second - from 2.4 g to 5.1 g, and in the third - from 3.7 g to 6.2 g.
Fibrinogen - abnormality in pregnant women
With any deviation in the indicator, the blood clotting system is disrupted, so low or high fibrinogen during pregnancy always causes the doctor serious concerns about the health of the unborn child and the safe outcome of labor. In the event that fibrinogen is higher than normal, there is a risk of excessive blood clots in the blood vessels, which can lead to a violation of cardiovascular activity. An increase in this indicator may indicate the presence of inflammatory processes in the body of a pregnant woman - a virus, infection, or the process of tissue death. This situation can be observed when a woman is ill with influenza, ARVI or pneumonia.
A decrease in the index can lead to a large loss of blood during labor. The reason that fibrinogen in pregnancy is lowered, there may be late toxicosis (gestosis) or a lack of vitamins B12 and C. Another reason for the lack of protein production is the DIC syndrome. This disease, associated with a violation of blood clotting in connection with the production of a large number of thromboplastic substances.
There are also more serious cases when fibrinogen is much lower than normal, resulting in the body of a pregnant woman developing hypofibrinogenemia. This disease can be both congenital and acquired. In the first case, the protein is either produced, but does not fulfill its functions, or is not produced at all. Acquired form of the disease is observed just in pregnancy. In this case, the indicator is reduced to 1-1.5 grams
The cause of development of hypofibrinogenemia in a pregnant woman can be placental abruption, fetal death and its prolonged presence in the womb, or embolism with amniotic fluid (it develops due to the penetration of amniotic fluid into the mother's blood).
The analysis determining the level of fibrinogen is one of the important stages of perinatal observation. This method allows you to exclude or identify possible risks of normal fetal development and the course of labor. Therefore, it is necessary to regularly undergo a survey and follow the recommendations of your doctor.