Peripartum period and hemophilia carriers

Women who are carriers for hemophilia are usually considered as safe carriers. However, they can present hemorragic symptoms associated with low factor VIII or IX levels. During pregancy, factor VIII increases whereas factor IX does not. The peripartum period is at risk of increased bleeding in these women. Here are presented reports of clinical data concerning two hemophilia carriers with low factor VIII or IX (30-40%) during the peripartum period. They received remifentanil and ketamine for labor pain management because of contraindication of epidural and spinal analgesia. Delivery occured quickly but they presented immediate moderate postpartum haemorrage. They did not necessitate blood transfusion. The one with hemophilia A received desmopressin just after delivery and the other one received factor IX when she arrived in delivery room. Blood factor VIII or IX has to be assessed in these women with familial history of hemophilia and bleeding. During pregnancy, factor VIII increases and can be assessed many times during pregnancy expecting a level over 50%. Factor IX does not really increase during pregancy and hemorrage can occur. Epidural and spinal anesthesia seem to be contraindicated as far as recommandations are concerned. Coagulation factor substitution is a mean of increasing factor level before these anaesthesias and can be discussed for each case. (C) 2013 Societe francaise d'anesthesie et de reanimation (Sfar). Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.