Can the administration of antithrombin III decrease the risk of cerebral hemorrhage in premature infants?

This study was carried out to determine whether the administration of antithrombin III decreases the risk of intraventricular hemorrhage in premature infants. In a randomized study, 60 infants born before 30 weeks of gestation were assigned to receive a loading dose of antithrombin III or placebo. There was no significant difference in the incidence of intraventricular hemorrhage between the antithrombin III and the placebo group (27.5 vs. 32%). Partial thromboplastin time, Quick's prothrombin time and platelet count were also not significantly different between the 2 groups. We conclude that the administration of antithrombin III during the first 2 days of life does not decrease incidence of intraventricular hemorrhage. Antithrombin III is a very expensive therapy and its benefits should be carefully investigated before being recommended as valuable therapy. Copyright (C) 2003 S. Karger AG, Basel.