Hong Kong researchers say aspirin can lower risk of pregnancy condition causing hypertension
- Chinese University of Hong Kong study shows early screening and low-dose aspirin reduces risk of preterm pre-eclampsia and fetal deaths
A study led by a Hong Kong team covering 10 Asian regions has found that early screening and low doses of aspirin can lower the risk of pregnant women developing a serious complication that causes high blood pressure.
Researchers from the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) on Thursday said those interventions could reduce the risk of preterm pre-eclampsia by more than 40 per cent, and could also reduce by over 60 per cent the risk of perinatal mortality – deaths occurring between 24 weeks of a fetus’ gestation and a week of an infant’s birth.
A free pilot screening and prevention service for pre-eclampsia has been carried out at Prince of Wales Hospital in Sha Tin. It will also be rolled out at another seven public hospitals starting next year.
“We suggest screening in early pregnancy, at around 11 to 13 weeks, to identify those at high risk. We hope to prevent pre-eclampsia from happening,” said Professor Liona Poon Chiu-yee, chairwoman of the university’s department of obstetrics and gynaecology.
Pregnant women with pre-eclampsia often have high blood pressure and high levels of protein in their urine.
