Does low-dose aspirin reduce preeclampsia risk?

This study investigated if low-dose aspirin (LDA) reduces the occurrence of preeclampsia (PE) in women at risk. They found that LDA reduced PE in these women. 

Preeclampsia (PE) is a complication of pregnancy. It is caused by high blood pressure (BP). If a woman has high BP they are at risk of developing PE. PE can be very dangerous for the mother if untreated. It can cause organ damage or death. The only treatment for PE is delivery. Delivery may be performed before a full-term pregnancy. This can have risks for the infant. 

Reducing the risk of PE is important for mother and infant. Anti-hypertensive (AHT) drugs can be used to lower BP. Only some AHTs are safe to use during pregnancy. Aspirin could be used to manage BP. It is usually used to thin the blood. Some studies suggest that a low dose of aspirin (LDA) can reduce BP. 75 mg per day or lower is considered to be LDA. It is unclear if LDA is safe and effective in reducing PE risk. 

This study included 1105 pregnant women. These women were considered high-risk for PE. Participants were randomly allocated to treatment (LDA) or placebo (inactive tablets). The dose of aspirin was 25 mg, 50 mg, or 75 mg daily. Treatment began in the 12^th week of pregnancy. The main outcome was PE occurrence. 

PE and early PE rates were lower with aspirin treatment. The higher the dose of aspirin used the lower the risk of PE. PE occurred in 18% of the placebo group, 13.6% of 25mg aspirin group, 10.1% of 50mg aspirin group, and 9.6% of 75mg aspirin group. 

Aspirin was also associated with lower rates of cesarian section and bleeding after delivery. It was also associated with better infant outcomes. These included lower rates of premature birth and growth restriction. 

The authors concluded that LDA reduced PE risk in pregnant women.

The long-term effect of aspirin is unclear. Follow-up studies that look at infant development are needed. 

If you have any concerns regarding PE risk, please consult with your doctor.