Low-dose aspirin reduces the risk of pre-eclampsia by up to 82%

Pregnant women can reduce their risk of the life-threatening condition pre-eclampsia by taking a low-dose aspirin, new research reveals.

Taking a 150mg dose reduces the risk of the condition by 82 per cent in babies born before 34 weeks, a study found.

The risk is lowered by 62 per cent in babies born before 37 weeks, the research adds.

Aspirin is thought to improve blood flow that becomes blocked in pre-eclampsia sufferers.  

Pre-eclampsia occurs in nearly one in 10 pregnancies in the UK.  

How the study was carried out  

Researchers analysed 1,776 women with a high risk for pre-eclampsia,

The women were given a daily 150mg aspirin dose starting from 11 to 14 weeks into their pregnancy until week 36.

Risk factors for pre-eclampsia include having diabetes, high blood pressure or kidney disease, as well as having developed the condition in a previous pregnancy.

Key findings

Results, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, revealed a daily 150mg aspirin dose reduces the pre-eclampsia risk by 82 per cent in babies born before 34 weeks.

Aspirin lowers the risk by 62 per cent in babies born before 37 weeks.

The researchers did not speculate as to why aspirin prevents pre-eclampsia, however, the condition occurs when blood flow through the placenta is reduced, restricting oxygen and nutrients from reaching the foetus, which could restrict its growth.

Aspirin prevents blood from clotting to improve its flow, previous research has revealed.  

How the research can be used 

The study's results have prompted calls for low-dose aspirin to be routinely prescribed to women at risk of the disease.

Professor David Wright from the University of Exeter, said: 'Over the last 10 years, we have developed new methods for assessing the risk of pre-eclampsia.

'The results show that aspirin can prevent pre-eclampsia in high-risk pregnancies.

'I hope that they will alter clinical practice and improve pregnancy outcomes for mothers and their babies.'  

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