Is primary postpartum haemorrhage a good predictor of inherited bleeding disorders?

A study was conducted to evaluate the value of screening for inherited bleeding disorders in women with primary postpartum haemorrhage (PPH). Over a 2-year period, women identified to have PPH (defined as > 500 mL blood loss for spontaneous vaginal delivery, > 700 mL for instrumental deliveries and > 1000 mL for caesarean sections within 24 h of delivery) were invited to participate in this study testing for a possible underlying bleeding disorder at 3-9 months postdelivery. Women known to have an inherited bleeding disorder were excluded. Of the 5744 deliveries in our unit during the study period, 152 (3%) fulfilled the criteria for primary PPH and 50 women agreed to participate in the study. Of these, 25 (50%) had a spontaneous vaginal delivery, 8 (16%) had an instrumental delivery and 17 (34%) had a caesarean section. Half of the women were multiparous and five (20%) had PPH in their previous pregnancy. Nineteen (38%) and 12 (24%) reported at least one significant personal and family bleeding history, respectively. One (2%) woman was identified to have von Willebrand disease. In conclusion, primary PPH does not appear to be a strong predictor of inherited bleeding disorders. Further studies are required to assess the prevalence of inherited bleeding disorders among these women.