Heparin for patients with growth restricted fetus: a prospective randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Objective: Heparin was hypothesized to facilitate the growth of the growth-restricted fetus. Our study was to assess the efficiency of heparin in treating fetus with growth restriction and to explore the possible mechanisms.

Methods: Seventy-three pregnant women were selected in this study. Based on regular treatments, patients randomly received either heparin or dan-shen combined with low-molecular weight dextrose. A serial ultrasonography and hematological measurements were performed on each patient at the enrolment and 7 days after the first treatment. Neonatal birth weight, 1-min Apgar score and gestational age were recorded. Placentas were collected for apoptotic indices.

Results: Heparin significantly improved maternal hemorrheological indices, fetal growth velocities and neonatal outcomes. It also reduced apoptosis in trophoblasts.

Conclusions: Our results provide evidence that heparin significantly improves the growth of the growth-restricted fetus. The growth improvement is probably achieved by the changes in maternal hemorrheology and the attenuated apoptosis in trophoblasts.