Heparin induced thrombocytopenia among pregnant women in Sudan: unfractionated heparin versus lmw heparin

While anticoagulants are useful in many circumstances, their use during pregnancy increases the risk of hemorrhage and other adverse effects, including heparin induced thrombocytopenia (HIT). This study aimed to determine the frequency of HIT among pregnant women receiving either unfractionated heparin (UFH) or low molecular weight heparin (L.W.W.H) in Sudan. The study included one hundred sixty five pregnant ladies who were received either UFH or low molecular weight heparin L.W.W.H for different indication, and have a normal platelets count (˃ 150 X 109/l) before the administration of heparin; who were admitted to Al-Dayat labour hospital, Sudan. Platelets count was performed in day 7 from heparin administration. Thrombocytopenia, with a platelets count ˂ 100 X 109/l, was observed among 10.3% (17/165) of the study group, all of them belong to UFH-related group, thus have HIT (type I or type II).We highlighted a high prevalence of HIT, regardless to the HIT type among the pregnant women who were received UFH in Sudan; therefore, it is important to recommend a routine monitoring of platelet counts and prompt investigation for the HIT antibody whenever there is a suspicion of HIT among such group in Sudan.