Short-term low-dose heparin plus bedrest impairs bone metabolism in pregnant women.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the osteoporotic risk of short-term low-dose heparin plus bedrest in pregnancy.


METHODS
In a prospective case-control study, 10 pregnant women on bedrest receiving prophylactic unfractionated heparin 10,000 IU per day for 7-46 days pre-study and 28 days per-study were compared with 6 normal pregnant controls of similar maternal and gestational age and 10 nonpregnant women of similar age. Serum ionised calcium, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3), osteocalcin, and urinary calcium/creatinine ratio were determined three times at 2-week intervals.


RESULTS
1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D(3) was lower in the treated group than in pregnant controls throughout (P<0.03). Osteocalcin was lower at study start than end in both pregnant groups (P<0.05), and lower in the treated group than in either pregnant (n.s.) or nonpregnant controls (P<0.005). Calcium/creatinine ratio differences were non significant (n.s.).


CONCLUSIONS
Short-term low-dose heparin plus bedrest suppresses 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) and osteocalcin levels in pregnancy.
von Mandach
Ursula
U
Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Zurich University Hospital, Frauenklinikstr. 10, CH-8091, Zurich, Switzerland. ursula.vonmandach@fhk.usz.ch
Aebersold
Franziska
F
Huch
Renate
R
Huch
Albert
A
D001510:Bed Rest / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015519:Bone Density / Q000187:drug effects; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D002118:Calcium / Q000097:blood; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006493:Heparin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D015675:Osteocalcin / Q000097:blood; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000378:metabolism; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000139:chemically induced*; D011249:Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular / Q000517:prevention & control
D015675:Osteocalcin; D006493:Heparin; D002118:Calcium