JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY, vol.34, no.2, pp.131-134, 2014 (SCI-Expanded)
The aim of this study was to analyse low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) use during pregnancy in terms of patient evaluation, treatment indication and social and financial costs. This was a retrospective analysis of patients using LMWH in their pregnancies. A total of 147 women were included in the study. The most common indications were thrombophilia (55/147, 37.4%); recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL); (47/147, 32.0%) and previous single pregnancy loss (18/147, 12.2%). In the RPL group, 53.1% of patients were not evaluated with standard tests; 31.9% of women were incompletely evaluated and 15% were properly evaluated. Out of 104 women screened for thrombophilia, 32 (32/104, 30.8%) were tested during pregnancy. Despite published guidelines and increasing scientific evidence against their use in some indications, LMWHs are prescribed widely during pregnancy for a variety of indications. Public and healthcare providers' education to change this attitude should be implemented.