Heparin for pregnant women with acquired or inherited thrombophilias

BACKGROUND: Thrombophilias, which are associated with a predisposition to thrombotic events, have been implicated in adverse obstetrical outcomes such as intrauterine growth restriction, stillbirth, severe early onset pre-eclampsia, and placental abruption. Heparin administration in pregnancy may reduce the risk of these events. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this review was to assess the effects of heparin on pregnancy outcomes for women with a thrombophilia. SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group trials register (July 2002), MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Scidex (via OVID Technologies - July 2002) and reference lists and personal files. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomized controlled trials comparing heparin with placebo or no treatment, or randomized controlled trials comparing any two treatments. Quasi randomized studies would be included. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Data would be abstracted from identified studies and recorded on a paper form by two reviewers. MAIN RESULTS: No studies were included. REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS: There are no completed trials to determine the effects of heparin on pregnancy outcomes for women with a thrombophilia.