Daily Low-dose Aspirin May Prevent Preeclampsia in High- to Moderate-Risk Pregnant Women, Saint Vincent Hospital Chief of OB/GYN Says

WORCESTER, Mass. – For pregnant women who are at high to moderate risk of developing preeclampsia, preventing the life-threatening condition may include taking a daily low dose of aspirin, according to Apurva Shah, MD, Chief of Saint Vincent Hospital’s OB/GYN department.

“Daily administration of low-dose aspirin has been found to decrease the risk of preeclampsia in women with moderate to high risk of developing the condition,” says Dr. Shah. Other possible interventions are pre-pregnancy weight loss, appropriate gestational weight gain based on the patient’s body mass index (BMI), exercise, and avoiding multiple gestations when attempting in vitro fertilization (IVF).

Preeclampsia is a disorder that occurs during pregnancy, causing high blood pressure, protein in urine, and organ damage. If untreated, the condition can result in long-term damage to mother and baby; in some cases, it can be fatal to one or both. According to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, which recommends the use of low-dose aspirin for high-risk women after 12 weeks of gestation, preeclampsia is a complication in approximately 4% of pregnancies in this country. It also accounts for 6% of preterm births and 19% of medically indicated preterm births. Other studies have shown that administration of daily low-dose aspirin should be considered for women with more than one moderate risk factor for preeclampsia.

Preeclampsia, which usually begins after 20 weeks of pregnancy, is believed to be caused by abnormal vasculature in the placenta, leading to low blood flow in the placenta and the release of factors into the mother’s blood stream that ultimately can cause adverse outcomes to the mother. “Daily low-dose aspirin administration suppresses production of these factors and may help prevent these outcomes,” says Dr. Shah.

Since the recommendations for use of low-dose aspirin are dependent on the level of risk, it is important for pregnant women and their providers to be aware of the risk factors and symptoms of preeclampsia, according to Dr. Shah. They should also have regular prenatal checkups with their doctor or other healthcare provider to test their blood pressure and urine, as well as monitor for other potential signs of the disease. “Actively screening for features of preeclampsia early may help lower adverse outcomes for both mom and baby,” he adds.

High-risk factors for preeclampsia include having had the disease during a previous pregnancy, being pregnant with more than one baby, having chronic hypertension, kidney disease, diabetes, or autoimmune conditions such as lupus, and getting pregnant via in vitro fertilization (IVF). Conditions associated with moderate risk for preeclampsia include obesity, being age 35 or older, having complications in previous pregnancies, having a family history of the disease, and getting pregnant more than 10 years since a previous pregnancy.

In addition to high blood pressure and protein in urine, symptoms of preeclampsia include edema, epigastric pain, severe headaches, inability to urinate or passing less urine, dizziness, trouble breathing, and severe nausea, among other conditions.

For additional information about obstetric services at Saint Vincent Hospital, call (866) 494-3627 or go to our website.