We describe a case of a breastfeeding woman with an accidental warfarin overdose resulting in a markedly elevated prothrombin time. The breast-fed infant was evaluated and tested for ill effects. We discuss the use of warfarin while breast-feeding.

Influence of Lepirudin, Argatroban, and Melagatran on Prothrombin Time and Additional Effect of Oral Anticoagulation, Tivadar Fenyvesi, Ingrid Joerg, and Job Harenberg* (Fourth Department of Medicine, University Hospital Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karls-University Heidelberg, Theodor-Kutzer-Ufer 1, 68167 Mannheim, Germany; * author for correspondence: fax 49-621-383-3308, e-mail [email protected])

Evidence for the involvement of the sixth component of complement (C6) in normal blood coagulation is provided by the description of a coagulation abnormality in rabbits with a genetic C6 deficiency and by its correction with highly purified preparations of C6. Whole blood clotting time in glass or plastic was prolonged and prothrombin consumption was decreased in blood from the deficient anima...