Summary

The association between thrombophilia and neonatal complicationswas evaluated in a single-center prospective study.Prevalence of genetic prothrombotic markers (FVL, MTHFR,FIIG20210A) and levels of plasma homocysteine were assayedin 166 premature (mean gestational age: 30.9±2.3 weeks) andlow birth weight (mean weight: 1327±319 grams) infants. Theincidence of any neonatal complications was compared ininfants with and without thrombophilia. A total of 38 infantswere defined as “thrombophilic” due to heterozygous FVL(n=4) and/or FIIG20210A (n=8, including one case of combinationwith FVL) or homozygous 677T MTHFR (n=22) or homocysteineplasma levels above 15 µmole/liter.Neonatal complications included: small for gestational age(28.8%), respiratory distress syndrome (51.8%), broncho-pulmonarydysplasia (10.2%), patent ductus arteriosus (12.7%),intraventricular hemorrhage (17%), periventricular leucomalacia(8.4%), retinopathy of prematurity (15.1%) and necrotizingenterocolitis in 1.2% of infants. No thrombosis was documented.The prevalence of perinatal complications and the severityof diseases were similar among infants with or without thrombophilia(p=0.564). Our data suggest that preterm infants withthrombophilia are not at increased risk for developing neonatalcomplications.