Recurrent miscarriage study hits recruitment target in just eight months

A study exploring treatment for women with inherited blood clotting disorders who have experienced recurrent miscarriage has hit its recruitment target in just eight months.

It is a fantastic achievement for the gynaecology research team at Saint Mary’s Hospital, as the recruitment deadline for the ALIFE2 trial was September 2017.

ALIFE2 is investigating whether an anticoagulant drug low-molecular-weight heparin – (LMWH) increases the chance of a successful pregnancy for women with two or more miscarriages and inherited thrombophilia – a blood clotting disorder.

Participating women will be randomised to receive either treatment with LMWH or standard pregnancy surveillance and supportive care during pregnancy.

LMWH is considered safe in pregnancy for both mother and child, but women who use it may have side effects such as easy bruising or itching at the infection site.

Data on the outcome of the pregnancy as well as complications and adverse treatment effects will be recorded to assess whether LMWH is effective.

Dr Lamiya Mohiyiddeen, consultant in reproductive medicine at Saint Mary’s Hospital and principal investigator for ALIFE2, said:

“This is a wonderful achievement for the team involved in this study, and they should be very proud of reaching the recruitment target so quickly. No effective treatment with anticoagulant drugs currently exists for pregnant women with inherited blood clotting disorders, and this study could offer hope to the many women who have gone through the pain of recurrent miscarriage.”