Low dose aspirin may help prevent pre-eclampsia
13 February 2001
Low doses of aspirin may have some benefits for pregnant women in the prevention of pre-eclampsia and its complications, according to a joint UK and Australian study published in the British Medical Journal.
Pre-eclampsia is also sometimes called toxaemia of pregnancy, and is high blood pressure accompanied by protein in the urine or retention of fluid that develops between the 20th week of pregnancy and the end of the first week after delivery.
The researchers reviewed 39 trials, involving more than 30,000 women who were at risk of developing pre-eclampsia. Findings suggested that antiplatelet drugs (such as aspirin) were associated with a moderate (15 per cent) reduction in the risk of pre-eclampsia, a 14 per cent reduction in the risk of stillbirth or neonatal death, and an 8 per cent reduction in the risk of preterm birth.
The researchers said, though, that as the reductions in risk were moderate, relatively large numbers of women would need to be treated to prevent the death of one baby, but that even these moderate benefits may be worthwhile.
However, data from individual women need to be reviewed, they said, as this would identify which women are most likely to benefit, when treatment should be started and at what dose.
Last Reviewed: 16 February 2001
- 1. Br Med J 2001; 322: 329-333
2. Merck Manual: Preeclampsia and Eclampsia
