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Heparin for patients with growth restricted fetus: a prospective randomized controlled trial
Yan-Hong Yu1, Li-Yong Shen, Hua Zou
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nan Fang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, People's Republic of China. yuyh20050712@hotmail.com
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.
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