Recurrence rate of pre-eclampsia in women with thrombophilia influenced by low-molecular-weight heparin treatment?

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: (1) To assess the recurrence rate of pre-eclampsia in women with this history before 34 weeks of pregnancy and thrombophilia. (2) To evaluate the effects of low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) on pregnancy outcome. METHODS: In a multicentre retrospective study subsequent pregnancies of women with a history of pre-eclampsia necessitating birth before 34 weeks and thrombophilia were analysed. Of 58 women, 26 received LMWH and aspirin (ASA) and 32 ASA (22) or no (10) medication in their subsequent pregnancies. RESULTS: In eight women treated with LMWH and ASA and in 16 women receiving ASA or no medication pre-eclampsia recurred in the subsequent pregnancy. (OR 0.55, 95% CI 0.15-1.31) There were no significant differences in birth weight or gestational age between both groups. CONCLUSIONS: The recurrence rate of pre-eclampsia in women with thrombophilic disorders is high in this small retrospective study. No positive effect was found for LMWH treatment. A multicentred randomised study has been started to reach an adequate number of patients to evaluate the influence of LMWH treatment.