healthmedicinet

A recent multinational study conducted by UK researchers discovered that a medicine frequently administered to pregnant women with an inheritable blood clotting disorder and a history of recurrent miscarriage did not assist to lower their miscarriage risk.n

The anticoagulant Low Molecular Weight Heparin (heparin) should no longer be prescribed to pregnant women and those giving birth to individuals with genetic thrombophilia, a disease where the blood has a greater propensity to clot in veins and arteries.n

Doctors frequently give heparin to women with recurrent bleeding, despite the absence of research and recommendations. health services in May/a>, and uncomfortable for women who must inject the medicine every day and are thus more prone to bruise.nn

Stopping screening for inherited thrombophilia and ending the use of heparin as a treatment for these women could save the NHS around ?20m per year, researchers say, with funding diverted to other services or treatments.n

A new study published in The Lancet shows that a daily injection of heparin does not improve the chance of a live birth for women who have previously had 2 or more miscarriages and confirmed inherited thrombophilia, when compared to standard care.n

Led by Professor Siobhan Quenby, Deputy Director of the Tommy’s National Centre for Miscarriage Research and Professor of Obstetrics at the University of Warwick, the ALIFE2 trial recruited women from 40 hospitals in the UK, Netherlands, U.S., Belgium and Slovenia.n

326 women with inherited thrombophilia and recurrent miscarriage were split into 2 groups?164 received heparin across the course of their pregnancy, starting from as soon as possible after a positive pregnancy test and ending at the start of labor. 162 were not offered the medication.n

All women received standard obstetrician-led care and all women were encouraged to take folic acid.n

The rate of live births for each group was roughly the same: 116 women (71.6%) treated with heparin had a baby born alive after 24 weeks’ pregnancy. 112 women (70.9%) in the standard care group had a baby born alive after 24 weeks’ pregnancy.n

The risk of other pregnancy complications, including miscarriage, babies with 31 Maypremature birth or pre-eclampsia, was about the same for both groups.n

As expected, bruising easily was reported by 73 (45%) of women in the group taking heparin (mostly around injection-sites) and only 16 (10%) in the standard care group.n

Professor Siobhan Quenby says, “Based on these findings, we don’t recommend the use of Low Molecular Weight Heparin for women with recurrent pregnancy loss and confirmed inherited thrombophilia.”n

“We also suggest that screening for inherited thrombophilia in women with 31 Maygeneral population as it is in women with recurrent miscarriage.”n

“Many women with 31 Mayheparin daily. Research now shows that this screening is not needed, the treatment isn’t effective, and it is giving false hope to many by continuing to offer it as a potential preventive treatment.”n

28% of women who participated in the trial lost their badly wanted pregnancies, and these unexplained losses will be the focus of further study, as our researchers continue to search for answers and treatment to prevent early pregnancy loss.

Provided by
National Institute for Health and Care Research

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