EFFECT OF LOW DOSE ASPIRIN IN PREVENTION OF SPONTANEOUS PRETERM LABOUR

S MAQSOOD; R FARRUKH

doi:10.54112/pjicm.v5i02.187

Authors

S MAQSOOD Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Services Institute of Medical Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan
R FARRUKH Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Services Institute of Medical Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54112/pjicm.v5i02.187

Keywords:

Low-Dose Aspirin, Spontaneous Preterm Labor, Preterm Birth, High-Risk Pregnancy

Abstract

Background: Preterm birth remains a significant cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality worldwide. Preventive strategies in high-risk pregnancies are crucial to improving perinatal outcomes. Low-dose aspirin, with its antiplatelet and anti-inflammatory effects, has been proposed to reduce the risk of preterm delivery when added to standard care. Objective: To evaluate the outcome of low-dose aspirin versus placebo in addition to the standard treatment protocol in high-risk pregnant women for preterm birth. Study Design: Randomised controlled trial. Setting: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology III at Services Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan. Duration of Study: From 22-June-2024 to 22-April-2025. Methods: A total of 382 pregnant women aged 18–45 years with a history of prior preterm delivery were enrolled and randomized into two groups. Group A received low-dose aspirin (75 mg/day from 14–36 weeks of gestation) plus standard care (including progesterone therapy and infection management), while Group B received a placebo plus standard care. The primary outcome was the incidence of spontaneous preterm birth (<37 weeks of gestation). Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 23, and p < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: The mean age of participants was 28.79 ± 7.28 years in Group A and 29.08 ± 7.33 years in Group B. The incidence of spontaneous preterm birth was significantly lower in the aspirin group (9.4%) compared to the placebo group (17.8%) (p = 0.01). Conclusion: Low-dose aspirin, when administered in addition to standard therapy, significantly reduces the incidence of spontaneous preterm birth in high-risk pregnant women. This suggests a beneficial role for aspirin prophylaxis in improving perinatal outcomes among women with a history of preterm delivery.

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