Work

Evaluating the efficacy of low-molecular-weight heparin in managing umbilical artery thrombosis during pregnancy: does it offer therapeutic benefits?

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Introduction Umbilical artery thrombosis (UAT) is a rare but serious pregnancy complication, potentially causing fetal growth restriction, distress, and stillbirth. Diagnosis relies on Doppler ultrasound and pathological assessment. Close monitoring and potential low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) therapy aim to prolong gestation and improve outcomes, but debate persists on its efficacy compared to expectant management. Methods A retrospective study, conducted between January 2013 and December 2023, enrolled singleton pregnant women diagnosed with UAT during pregnancy. The experiment group included pregnant women who underwent LMWH with anti-coagulation therapy during pregnancy, while the expectant group comprised pregnancies that received standard prenatal care without any specific intervention for UAT. Results The expectant group showed a significant increase in birth weight (expectant vs. experiment: 2434.40 ± 770.20 g vs. 1874.46 ± 717.83 g, P < 0.05) and a significant decrease in the incidence of births before 34 weeks (expectant vs. experiment: 42.24% vs. 82.75%, P < 0.05). Gestational age at birth was notably higher in the expectant group as compared to the experiment group (35.32 ± 3.89 vs. 33.59 ± 4.17), although the difference did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.110). The multi-factor ANOVA revealed statistically significant effects of anti-coagulation therapy (F = 4.479, p = 0.039) and gestational age at birth (F = 179.110, p = 0.000) on birth weight. This study found that the relationship between these variables can be formulated as: birth weight = −3314.782–256.106 × anti-coagulation therapy (coded as 1 if yes and 0 if no) +161.858 × gestational age at birth. Conclusion Our study suggests that expectant therapy may offer substantial benefits compared to experimental therapy involving the administration of LMWH.

Source: Frontiers in Medicine

DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2025.1540685

Authors: Peng Zhao, Yicheng Lu, Sitong Liu, Lidan Zhang, Chong Chen, Xiaofu Yang

Institutions: Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Zhejiang University

Language: English

Topic: Pregnancy and preeclampsia studies

Subfield: Obstetrics and Gynecology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,801