Haematological problems in pregnancy.
OBJECTIVE
Haematological disorders of pregnancy are common reasons for referral. It is reasonable then to devote a review to recent publications on these issues.


RESULTS
Several narrative reviews on the management of venous thromboembolic disease in pregnancy provide exceptional guidance. They highlight, however, that most of what is done is still based on opinions from highly qualified people, extrapolated from the non-pregnant literature but not involving randomized trials on pregnant patients. It is apparent that a consensus is nearing on the management of both pregnancy-related thrombocytopenia and idiopathic (immune) thrombocytopenic purpura. Several randomized controlled trials are reported on the treatment of non-deficiency anaemia, using oral iron, intravenous iron and erythropoietin, which contribute to the debate on the appropriate and best intervention for this common problematic issue.


CONCLUSIONS
This review demonstrates the need for appropriately sized randomized trials on haematological issues in pregnancy. With heparin becoming the most common medication being administered prophylactically and therapeutically in pregnancy, it is important that quality trials are performed to guide its sensible utilization.
Burrows
Robert F
RF
Maternal-fetal medicine, Monash University, Clayton, Australia. robert.burrows@med.monash.edu.au
D000740:Anemia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006493:Heparin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D019266:Iron, Dietary; D011247:Pregnancy; D011250:Pregnancy Complications, Hematologic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D011295:Prenatal Care; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*
D019266:Iron, Dietary; D004921:Erythropoietin; D006493:Heparin