Pregnant women at risk from pre-eclampsia should take low dose aspirin and calcium supplements to reduce the chances of developing the condition, according to a new review.
Writing in the latest edition of The Obstetrician & Gynaecologist, Fionnuala Mone, of University College Dublin, says that low dose aspirin taken before 16 weeks gestation and calcium supplements for women who are deficient in the mineral after 20 weeks can prevent the onset of the potentially dangerous condition.
It is also possible to assess a woman’s risk of developing pre-eclampsia, which affects 3-5% of pregnancies, from 11 weeks of pregnancy by undertaking a risk assessment that includes blood pressure monitoring, biochemical marker levels and uterine artery Doppler assessment.
However, she said that for best results a combination of investigations that include maternal history, biophysical and biochemical marker screening should be performed between 11 and 13+6 weeks gestation.
The review paper summarises evidence on pre-eclampsia surveillance in the first and second trimester and prevention and concludes that while treatment is currently reserved for at-risk pregnancies, future management may be tailored around preventative treatment based on the results of first trimester screening.
The authors also call for more research to see if these therapies could be beneficial in low- risk populations.
“Use of low dose aspirin and calcium supplementation in at-risk populations can reduce the risk of developing pre-eclampsia, a serious condition which can lead to complications for both the mother and her baby,” said Mone.
“It is important to see if low-risk women can benefit from preventative treatments and screening through future research.”
Mone F, McAuliffe FM. Low-dose aspirin and calcium supplementation for the prevention of pre-eclampsia. The Obstetrician & Gynaecologist 18 July 2014; doi:10.1111/tog.12111
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