Therapeutic role of enoxaparin in intra-uterine growth restriction: A randomized clinical trial
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 20, 2025
Fetal Echocardiography and Pulsed-wave Doppler Ultrasound in a Rabbit Model of Intrauterine Growth Restriction
Published on: June 29, 2013
Mahboobeh Shirazi1, Zahra Naeiji2, Fatemeh Rahimi Sharbaf1
1Maternal, Fetal and Neonatal Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Yas Hospital Complex, District 7, N Villa Rd, Tehran, Iran.
Objective:
Intrauterine growth restriction is a leading cause of perinatal mortality and morbidity. Using enoxaparin may enhance the placental circulation and improve the intrauterine growth. This study was conducted to assess the efficacy and safety of enoxaparin in treatment of intra-uterine growth restriction.
Study Design:
125 women with intrauterine growth restriction were randomized to control group and intervention group (receiving routine high risk pregnancy prenatal care plus daily subcutaneous injection of 40 mg enoxaparin). Prolongation of pregnancy, fetal birth weight, fetal outcome and enoxaparin side effects were compared in 2 groups.
Results:
Baseline characteristics were similar in 2 groups. Mean gestational age at delivery was 36.73(±2.71) in enoxaparin group and 36.85(±2.17) in control group which showed no statistically significant difference. Mean fetal birth weight had also no statistically significant difference in enoxaparin and control group (2370.16 ± 580.72 g versus 2456.07 ± 543.06 g). Rate of betamethasone administration, intubation, NICU admission, sepsis, necrotizing enterocolitis, intra-ventricular hemorrhage, hypoglycemia and low apgar score were similar in two groups. No major adverse effect was seen.
Conclusion:
Enoxaparin did not prolong the pregnancy and fetal birth weight and did not improve the fetal outcome even in patients with impaired baseline Doppler findings.
