Transient focal neurological deficits during pregnancy in carriers of inherited thrombophilia.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The aim of our study was to investigate the association of transient ischemic cerebrovascular events during pregnancy and inherited thrombophilias. METHODS The study group comprised previously healthy pregnant women who had their first ischemic event during pregnancy (n=12). The control group included 24 healthy women matched with the study women for age, ethnicity, and smoking status. All women were evaluated for factor V Leiden mutation, methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase C677T gene mutation, the G20210A mutation in the prothrombin gene, and deficiencies of plasma proteins C and S and antithrombin III. RESULTS Inherited thrombophilia was detected in 83% of women with transient neurological manifestations compared with 17% of the control group (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS Transient cerebrovascular ischemic events during pregnancy are associated with a high rate of inherited thrombophilias. Pregnant women with focal neurological symptoms should be evaluated for thrombophilia.