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| Dr. William L. Matzner of Simi Valley, California |
Miscarriages and Immunotherapy
Some patients are uncomfortable about taking any medication during pregnancy. Rest assured that a competent medical professional will decide all medication and doses after giving it thorough consideration to minimize any drug related side effects.
As your pregnancy progresses
your blood test results may change, justifying a modification in your
medication regime. If changes are indicated, your medical provider should communicate the changes to you
immediately.
If at any time you have
questions regarding medications or suspect that you are having an allergic
reaction or side effect, please discuss them with your caregiver right away.
Aspirin
Aspirin is an antiinflammatory and antiplatelet agent. Should you require low dose aspirin, the recommendation is 80 mg per day, which is equivalent to a baby aspirin.
Aspirin
Aspirin is an antiinflammatory and antiplatelet agent. Should you require low dose aspirin, the recommendation is 80 mg per day, which is equivalent to a baby aspirin.
Aspirin, like all medication,
can cause allergic reactions. Manifestations of aspirin allergy may include
dermatitis, rhinitis, bronchospasm and even anaphylaxis. People who have a
history of asthma and nasal polyps are at increased risk for allergic
reactions.
Side effects of low dose
aspirin are infrequent but can include nausea, reflux esophagitis, abdominal
discomfort, anorexia and gastrointestinal and urinary tract bleeding. Use of
high dose aspirin during pregnancy may affect maternal and neonatal blood
clotting mechanisms, leading to an increased risk of bleed. High dose aspirin
may also impair maternal kidney function and has been causally related to
increased perinatal mortality, intrauterine growth retardation and congenital
defects. Aspirin at low doses has not been associated with these risks.
Aspirin is excreted into
breast milk in low concentration ranging from 1.1 to 10 mcg/ml. Adverse effects
of platelet function in the nursing infants have not been reported, but are a
potential risk. If you choose to breast feed your baby you should not take
aspirin at that time.
Routine laboratory testing while on aspirin should include
complete blood count, chemistries, APTT and antiphospholipid antibody panel.
Heparin
Heparin, an anticoagulant, is a purifies preparation derived from animal tissue. It is delivered as a subcutaneous injection and a typical dose would be 5000 IU twice a day.
Heparin
Heparin, an anticoagulant, is a purifies preparation derived from animal tissue. It is delivered as a subcutaneous injection and a typical dose would be 5000 IU twice a day.
Allergic reactions may include
chills, fever, dermatitis, asthma and anaphylactic shock. Before a therapeutic
dose is administered, a trial of 1000 IU would be prudent. Fortunately, allergy
to heparin is rare.
Because of heparin's blood
"thinning" property the user is more susceptible to bleeding (skin,
nose, gastrointestinal tract, bladder, etc.). Almost all patients experience
some bruising at the site where heparin is injected.
Long term heparin therapy has
been associated with osteoporosis and spontaneous fractures in patients who
have received in excess of 15,000 units per day for more than six months. One
study of 117 patients on long term heparin (up to 15 years) report no
spontaneous fracture when subjects received less that 10,000 units per day.
Although our protocol utilizes low dose heparinization, supplementation
(dietary) with calcium is recommended. Exercise and sun tanning may also
prevent osteoporosis.
Heparin has not been related
to congenital defects, nor does it cross the placenta. Heparin use during
pregnancy has been associated with a 13 to 22% unfavorable pregnancy outcome
including premature and still birth. Please note that the study group consisted
of women who had severe maternal disease necessitating high dose anticoagulant
therapy. Although heparin is the preferred anticoagulant during pregnancy it is
not risk free.
Heparin
is not excreted in breast milk.
Relative contraindications to
the use of heparin are active bleeding, hemophilia, thrombocytopenia or other
blood dyscrasia, endocarditis or tuberculosis. Caution should be exercised when
there is underlying hypertension and liver kidney disease.
Routine platelet, hematocrit, APTT and antiphospholipid
antibody panel monitoring during heparinization is recommended.
Administration
of Heparin Subcutaneously
1. Wipe the area with alcohol. Do not rub!
2. Remove cap from needle and gently pick up a well defined fold of skin.
1. Wipe the area with alcohol. Do not rub!
2. Remove cap from needle and gently pick up a well defined fold of skin.
3. Hold the syringe in a dart fashion and insert the needle directly into the skin at a 45-90 degree angle just into the subcutaneous “fatty layer” of the skin.
4.
Push down on plunger slowly as far as it will
go.
5.
When all the heparin has been injected, slowly
withdraw the needle at the same angle at which it entered, and also releasing
the skin roll as you withdraw.
6.
Apply band aid only if necessary. The site may
be irritated by the removal of the band aid, thus causing increased bruising.
Important Points to Remember
Important Points to Remember
1. Preferred site of injection is the abdominal
area. Injections must be given 2 inches away from the umbilicus.
If you need another area to give your heparin, you may use your thighs or
buttocks.
2.
Rotate your sites of injections. Avoid
injecting a bruised area.
3.
Some bruising at the sight of injection is
normal (less than quarter size). If increased bruising occurs, you may use ice
before you clean the area for injection and/or after you have given yourself
the injection.
4.
Notify your doctors before any medication or
surgical procedure that you are taking heparin.
5.
Carry an identification card in your wallet
stating that you are on heparin.
6.
Contact your doctor if any of the following
symptoms occur: nose bleeds, blood in the urine of stool, excessive bleeding
lasting greater than 15 minutes and not controlled by direct pressure, unusual
knot at the site of injection.
Prednisone
Prednisone is a corticosteroid. If indicated, you will be asked to take 5 or 10 mg orally twice a day upon confirmation of pregnancy (patients with immune mediated infertility may be on a different schedule). Drug dosage may be adjusted depending upon follow-up blood tests.
Allergy to prednisone is rare, as the human body manufactures a similar compound. In fact prednisone is used to treat moderate to life threatening allergies.
Possible adverse reaction to moderate and high doses of prednisone include fluid and electrolyte imbalance; metabolic disturbances e.g. hyperglycemia or gestational diabetes and osteoporosis; susceptibility to infection; peptic ulcer; behavioral changes e.g. nervousness, insomnia, irritability and mood swings; myopathy; and cataracts.
Prednisone should be used with caution in people with hypertension, congestive heart failure, diabetes mellitus, osteoporosis, ulcerative colitis, ocular herpes and others (please consult with doctor if you have any chronic illness). Osteoporosis can be retarded with calcium supplementation and exercise.
Rapid withdrawal of prednisone may cause fatigue, myalgias, arthralgias, dizziness, hypotension, hypoglycemia and dyspnea. If you experience these symptoms, please contact your doctor.
There are a number of studies that review the use of prednisone during pregnancy and effects on the fetus. The fetus appears to be protected by at least three mechanisms: 1) enzymes in the placenta degrade the drug to an inactive form, 2) prednisone in maternal circulation is bound to a large protein making it harder to cross the placenta and 3) fetal liver is not able to activate prednisone until the end of the second trimester.
Trace amounts of prednisone have been measured in breast milk. Although these quantities are of doubtful clinical significance, your baby's pediatrician should be notified.
Laboratory studies to monitor while on prednisone include complete blood count, chemistries, electrolytes and antinuclear antibody panel.
Immunoglobulin G Infusion
Immunoglobulin G is a preparation of human derived antibodies. In some patients, conventional immunotherapy with aspirin, heparin and paternal white cell immunization may have to be supplemented with this medication. Patients at risk for developing intrauterine growth retardation, oligohydramnios, toxemia, or severe side effects of steroids, or have preexisting maternal disease are prime candidates. If you require this treatment, it is given intravenously three consecutive days monthly during pregnancy.
Immunoglobulin G is contraindicated in patients who are known to have had anaphylactic or severe systemic reaction to human immune globulin. Patients with IgA deficiency should not receive this product.
Side effects to immunoglobulin G include fever, chills, headache, nausea, malaise and back pain. Mild erythema following infiltration at the sire of infusion has been reported.
Laboratory tests that need to be followed while on this treatment are quantitative immunoglobulins and immunophenotype.
Paternal Leukocyte Immunization
Paternal leukocyte immunization (PLI), a purified preparation of husband's white blood cell, is administered intradermally. Because this is a blood product, the recipient (wife) risks acquiring infectious diseases that donor (husband) may harbor. Rh sensitization is also possible; however, extensive steps are taken to prevent this.
Most women will experience redness and itching at the site of immunization. Please notify your doctor if you have any unexpected or serious reaction.
Maternal antipaternal leukocyte antibodies (blocking antibodies), by flow cytometry, should be followed to monitor efficacy of treatment.
***About William L. Matzner, M.D., PhD, FACP
Dr. William Matzner works in the area of healthcare economics consulting at Healthcare Analytics, LLC, in California. He graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Stanford University. He received his M.D. with Honors from Baylor College of Medicine. In 1988, he was the Solomon Scholar for Resident Research at Cedar Sinai Medical Center. Dr. Matzner subsequently was awarded a PhD in Neuro Economics from Claremont Graduate University. He is board certified in Internal Medicine and Palliative Medicine. He has researched and published extensively on the issue of reproduction and immunology in medical literature. He has been in private practice since 1989, specializing in Reproductive Immunology and Internal medicine.
Website: https://drwilliammatzner.com
Consulting Website: https://healthcareanalytics.biz
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/william-matzner-md-phd-mba-60219730
Blog: https://drwilliammatzner.blogspot.com
News: https://hype.news/dr-william-matzner/
News: https://hippocratesguild.com/dr-william-matzner
News: https://medicogazette.com/dr-william-matzner
Prednisone
Prednisone is a corticosteroid. If indicated, you will be asked to take 5 or 10 mg orally twice a day upon confirmation of pregnancy (patients with immune mediated infertility may be on a different schedule). Drug dosage may be adjusted depending upon follow-up blood tests.
Allergy to prednisone is rare, as the human body manufactures a similar compound. In fact prednisone is used to treat moderate to life threatening allergies.
Possible adverse reaction to moderate and high doses of prednisone include fluid and electrolyte imbalance; metabolic disturbances e.g. hyperglycemia or gestational diabetes and osteoporosis; susceptibility to infection; peptic ulcer; behavioral changes e.g. nervousness, insomnia, irritability and mood swings; myopathy; and cataracts.
Prednisone should be used with caution in people with hypertension, congestive heart failure, diabetes mellitus, osteoporosis, ulcerative colitis, ocular herpes and others (please consult with doctor if you have any chronic illness). Osteoporosis can be retarded with calcium supplementation and exercise.
Rapid withdrawal of prednisone may cause fatigue, myalgias, arthralgias, dizziness, hypotension, hypoglycemia and dyspnea. If you experience these symptoms, please contact your doctor.
There are a number of studies that review the use of prednisone during pregnancy and effects on the fetus. The fetus appears to be protected by at least three mechanisms: 1) enzymes in the placenta degrade the drug to an inactive form, 2) prednisone in maternal circulation is bound to a large protein making it harder to cross the placenta and 3) fetal liver is not able to activate prednisone until the end of the second trimester.
Trace amounts of prednisone have been measured in breast milk. Although these quantities are of doubtful clinical significance, your baby's pediatrician should be notified.
Laboratory studies to monitor while on prednisone include complete blood count, chemistries, electrolytes and antinuclear antibody panel.
Immunoglobulin G Infusion
Immunoglobulin G is a preparation of human derived antibodies. In some patients, conventional immunotherapy with aspirin, heparin and paternal white cell immunization may have to be supplemented with this medication. Patients at risk for developing intrauterine growth retardation, oligohydramnios, toxemia, or severe side effects of steroids, or have preexisting maternal disease are prime candidates. If you require this treatment, it is given intravenously three consecutive days monthly during pregnancy.
Immunoglobulin G is contraindicated in patients who are known to have had anaphylactic or severe systemic reaction to human immune globulin. Patients with IgA deficiency should not receive this product.
Side effects to immunoglobulin G include fever, chills, headache, nausea, malaise and back pain. Mild erythema following infiltration at the sire of infusion has been reported.
Laboratory tests that need to be followed while on this treatment are quantitative immunoglobulins and immunophenotype.
Paternal Leukocyte Immunization
Paternal leukocyte immunization (PLI), a purified preparation of husband's white blood cell, is administered intradermally. Because this is a blood product, the recipient (wife) risks acquiring infectious diseases that donor (husband) may harbor. Rh sensitization is also possible; however, extensive steps are taken to prevent this.
Most women will experience redness and itching at the site of immunization. Please notify your doctor if you have any unexpected or serious reaction.
Maternal antipaternal leukocyte antibodies (blocking antibodies), by flow cytometry, should be followed to monitor efficacy of treatment.
***About William L. Matzner, M.D., PhD, FACP
Dr. William Matzner works in the area of healthcare economics consulting at Healthcare Analytics, LLC, in California. He graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Stanford University. He received his M.D. with Honors from Baylor College of Medicine. In 1988, he was the Solomon Scholar for Resident Research at Cedar Sinai Medical Center. Dr. Matzner subsequently was awarded a PhD in Neuro Economics from Claremont Graduate University. He is board certified in Internal Medicine and Palliative Medicine. He has researched and published extensively on the issue of reproduction and immunology in medical literature. He has been in private practice since 1989, specializing in Reproductive Immunology and Internal medicine.
Website: https://drwilliammatzner.com
Consulting Website: https://healthcareanalytics.biz
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/william-matzner-md-phd-mba-60219730
Blog: https://drwilliammatzner.blogspot.com
News: https://hype.news/dr-william-matzner/
News: https://hippocratesguild.com/dr-william-matzner
News: https://medicogazette.com/dr-william-matzner
William Matzner, MD (Simi Valley, California), has been practicing medicine since 1989, Internal Medicine and Reproductive Immunology. M.D. with Honors from Baylor College of Medicine.
