Low dose aspirin can prevent pregnancy-induced hypertension A meta-analysis reinforces the point

A meta-analysis of 6 controlled trials of the prevention of pregnancy-induced hypertension using low dose aspirin therapy revealed that only 4-5 high-risk women would need to receive aspirin therapy to prevent I case of pregnancy­induced hypertension. The relative risk of pregnancy-induced hypertension was 0.35 with aspirin therapy compared with controls.

The 6 trials included 394 women, 194 of whom received aspirin at dosages < 150 mg/day (the dosage was I mg/kg/day in I study); aspirin was taken for':::; 18 weeks in 4 trials. In 2 studies, dipyridamole was also given, and I of the 6 studies was nonrandomised.

Caesarean section was required by 36% of control women; this risk was reduced with low dose aspirin therapy (relative risk 0.34). However, specific indications for caesarean section were not generally reported and trials of lower quality and with treatment durations> 18 weeks showed no reduction in risk with aspirin therapy. 28% of control women gave birth to inf:mts with extremely low birthweight, with a risk reduction of 44% in aspirin recipients; between 6 and 7 women would need to be treated with aspirin to prevent I infant from having a severely low birthweight. Aspirin did not protect against fetal and neonatal death. There were no adverse maternal or neonatal effects attributable to aspirin therapy. Imperiale TF. Stollenwerk Petrulis A. A meta-analysis of low-dose aspirin for the prevention of pregnancy-induced hypertensive disease. Journal of the American Medical Association 266: 260-264. 10 Jul 1991 "19

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1 INPHARMA®20 Jul 1991