Aspirin in pregnancy : clinical and biochemical studies

Aspirin, acetylsalicylic acid, is the most frequently consumed drug in pregnancy,47 mostly taken without a prescription because of headache or a minor ailment. 226,277 Numerous preparations containing acetylsalicylic acid are freely available over the counter under a variety of proprietary names, and in many cases pregnant women and their doctors may be unaware that aspirin is being taken. For many years obstetricians have advised against the use of aspirin as a simple analgesic in pregnancy, based on a general tendency to discourage all drug taking in pregnancy as well as on fears of specific complications of aspirin, such as teratogenic effects, maternal and fetal hcmorrhage, and premature closure of the ductus arteriosus. But the negative attitude towards the usc of aspirin in pregnancy is changing rapidly since evidence has become available that a daily low dose of aspirin (60-80 mg) may markedly reduce the incidence of hypertensive disorders and fetal growth retardation in pregnant women at risk.