U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Recommends Low-Dose Aspirin For Women At High Risk For Preeclampsia
WASHINGTON, D.C.–September 9, 2014–The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (Task Force)todaypublishedafinalrecommendation statementrecommendingthat women at high risk forpreeclampsia use low-dose aspirin (81 mg/day) after 12 weeks of pregnancy to preventthe conditionanditsrelated health problems.This is a Brecommendation.This recommendation applies to pregnantwomen who are at highriskforpreeclampsia,who donotshow signs or symptoms of the condition,andwhocan safely take aspirin.
Preeclampsia is a complex condition that occurs in pregnant women and ischaracterizedby a rise inblood pressure and excess protein in the urine after 20 weeks of pregnancy. Itisone of the leadingcauses of health complications for expectant mothers and their babies,affecting about 4 percent of alldeliveries (approximately 160,000each year)in the United States.
“Preeclampsia can cause serious health problems for both expectant mothers and their babies,” saysTask Force member Jessica Herzstein, M.D., M.P.H. “The good news is that pregnant women who areat highriskfor developing preeclampsia can take a lowdailydose of aspirin to help prevent thecondition. Thiscan result in better healthoutcomes for both the mother and baby.”
Forwomen at high risk, low-dose aspirin has been found to reduce the riskforpreeclampsiaby 24%,premature birthby 14%, and intrauterine growth restriction—when a baby grows slower than expectedinthe mother’s uterus—by 20%.
“Most women are notat high risk for preeclampsia,”says Task Force chair Michael L. LeFevre, M.D.,M.S.P.H.“Before taking aspirin, pregnant women should talk to their doctor or nurseto determine theirriskleveland discuss iftakingaspirinis right for them.”
The Task Force’s recommendation has been published online in theAnnals of Internal Medicine, aswell as on the Task Force Web site atwww.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org. A fact sheet thatexplains the recommendation statement in plain language is also available. A draft version of thisrecommendation was available for public comment from April 8 to May 5, 2014.The Task Force is an independent, volunteer panel of national experts in prevention andevidence-based medicine that works to improve the health of all Americans by making evidence-basedrecommendations about clinicalpreventive services such as screenings, counseling services, andpreventive medications.
Contact: Ana Fullmer atNewsroom@USPSTF.net/ (202) 350-666
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