THE EFFECT OF LOW-MOLECULAR-WEIGHT HEPARIN ON THE BIRTH WEIGHT IN 28 TO 34-WEEK PREGNANCIES COMPLICATED BY INTRAUTERINE GROWTH RESTRICTION.

Authors

  • Qurat Ul Ain King Abdullah Teaching Hospital Mansehra, Health Department KPK, Pakistan Author
  • Komal Imtiaz King Abdullah Teaching Hospital Mansehra, Health Department KPK, Pakistan Author
  • Maria Nawaz King Abdullah Teaching Hospital Mansehra, Health Department KPK, Pakistan Author

Keywords:

Intrauterine growth restriction, heparin, LMWH, birth weight

Abstract

Background: The use of low-molecular-weight Heparin (LMWH) in intra-uterine growth reduction (IUGR) is very common. However, its effect on the neonatal birth weight has not been studied in our context. This study aims to compare the mean birth weight of neonates receiving IUGR versus controls in females presenting with IUGR. Methods: This comparative cross-sectional study enrolled 100 women aged 18–40 years of parity <6 presenting during gestational age 28–34 weeks presenting with IUGR from, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad. After applying the selection criteria and obtaining approval, group 1 females were given LMWH, i.e., 0.2–0.4 mL by subcutaneous injection, along with parenteral nutrition, while in group 2, females received only parenteral nutrition, i.e., the control group. Then, females were followed up until delivery on a 15-day basis. At the time of delivery, the baby’s birth weight was recorded. Results: The mean age of women in group 1 was 30.10±5.48 years, and in group 2 was 29.06±4.48 years. Mean gestational age was 30.49±1.87 weeks. The mean birth weight of infants in group 1 was 2957.20±177.76 grams, and in group 2 was 2663.7±176.32 grams, with a p<0.0001. Conclusion: The mean birth weight of neonates receiving LMWH is higher compared to controls in females presenting with intrauterine growth retardation.

Author Biographies

  • Qurat Ul Ain, King Abdullah Teaching Hospital Mansehra, Health Department KPK, Pakistan

    Medical Officer, MBBS, FCPS Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology

  • Komal Imtiaz, King Abdullah Teaching Hospital Mansehra, Health Department KPK, Pakistan

    Medical Officer MBBS. FCPS Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology

  • Maria Nawaz, King Abdullah Teaching Hospital Mansehra, Health Department KPK, Pakistan

    Medical Officer, MBBS, FCPS Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology

References

Villalaín C, Herraiz I, Akolekar R, Figueras F, Crispi F, Rizzo G et al. Clinical practice guidance for the management of fetal growth restriction: an expert review. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med 2025;38(1):2526111. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/14767058.2025.2526111

Zafar H, Naz M. Frequency of IUGR in pregnancy induced hypertension. J Univ Med Dent Coll 2012;3(2):8–13.

Jacobwitz M, Kapse K, Ngwa J, De Asis-Cruz J, Wu Y, Donofrio MT, et al. Placental and fetal in utero growth among fetuses with congenital heart disease. JAMA Netw Open 2025;8(4):e257217. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.7217

Baroutis D, Koukoumpanis K, Tzanis AA, Theodora M, Rizogiannis K, Bairaktaris D, et al. Low-molecular-weight heparin in preeclampsia: effects on biomarkers and prevention: A narrative review. Biomedicines 2025;13(10):2337. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines13102337

Rajalakshmi AS, Murthy AA, Sree Lakshmi K. Maternal thrombophilia and intrauterine growth restriction: A review of current evidence and clinical implications. Endocr Metab Sci 2025;19:100274. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.endmts.2025.100274

Zhao P, Lu Y, Liu S, Zhang L, Chen C, Yang X. Evaluating the efficacy of low-molecular-weight heparin in managing umbilical artery thrombosis during pregnancy: does it offer therapeutic benefits? Front Med (Lausanne) 2025;12:1540685. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2025.1540685

Yu YH, Shen LY, Zou H, Wang ZJ, Gong SP. Heparin for patients with growth-restricted fetus: a prospective randomized controlled trial. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med 2010;23(9):980–7 DOI:: https://doi.org/10.3109/14767050903443459

Ephraums S, Dasgupta A, Korah S, Pasupathy D, Seeho S. A comparison of international clinical practice guidelines for postpartum venous thromboembolism prophylaxis. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2025;25(1):150. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-025-07246-3

Shan D, Li T, Tan X, Hu YY. Low-molecular-weight heparin and preeclampsia - does the sword cut both ways? Three case reports and review of literature. World J Clin Cases 2024;12(9):1634–43. DOI: https://doi.org/10.12998/wjcc.v12.i9.1634

Sarmadi S, Mirzaian E, Nili F, Khalafrezaei F. Placental pathological findings and their association with maternal and fetal clinical outcomes: A cross-sectional study. Int J Reprod Biomed 2024;22(10):771–80. DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ijrm.v22i10.17662

Cruz-Lemini M, Vázquez JC, Ullmo J, Llurba E. Low-molecular-weight heparin for prevention of preeclampsia and other placenta-mediated complications: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2022;226(2S):S1126–44.e17. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajog.2020.11.006

Chen J, Huai J, Yang H. Low-molecular-weight heparin for the prevention of preeclampsia in high-risk pregnancies without thrombophilia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2024;24(1):68. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-023-06218-9

Zhang Y, Guo S, Xu J. Multifunctional applications and research advances of low-molecular-weight heparin. Front Pharmacol 2025;16:1585762. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2025.1585762

Singh KK, Gupta A, Forstner D, Guettler J, Ahrens MS, Prakasan Sheeja A, et al. LMWH prevents thromboinflammation in the placenta via HBEGF-AKT signaling. Blood Adv 2024;8(18):4756–66. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1182/bloodadvances.2023011895

Kleijer ME, Dekker GA, Heard AR. Risk factors for intrauterine growth restriction in a socio-economically disadvantaged region. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med 2005;18(1):23–30. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/14767050500127674

Downloads

Published

12/31/2025

Issue

Section

Original Articles

How to Cite

THE EFFECT OF LOW-MOLECULAR-WEIGHT HEPARIN ON THE BIRTH WEIGHT IN 28 TO 34-WEEK PREGNANCIES COMPLICATED BY INTRAUTERINE GROWTH RESTRICTION. (2025). MedPulse Spectrum, 1(2), 5-8. https://jouex.com/index.php/medpulspect/article/view/30