Prevention of pregnancy-induced hypertension by low dose aspirin

ABSTRACT

One hundred and twelve pregnant women with three risk factors for pre-eclampsia [primigravidity, twin pregnancy and history of previous preeclampsia] were screened with the roll-over test, at 28th to 30th weeks of gestation. Forty women with positive roll-over test [increase of more than 15mm Hg in diastolic blood pressure] were treated either with a daily dose of aspirin [21 women] or placebo [19 women] during the third trimester of pregnancy, up to one week before delivery. Only two patients [9.5%] in the aspirin-treated group developed pregnancy-induced hypertension, versus 7 patients [37%] in the placebo group P<0.01. None of the control group with negative roll-over test developed hypertension. We conclude that low dose aspirin [100mg/day], taken in the third trimester of pregnancy by women with positive roll-over test, will significantly reduce pregnancy-induced hypertension