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Study: Low-Dose Aspirin Appears Safe During Pregnancy, Possibly Beneficial

From Krissi Danielsson, About.com GuideDecember 22, 2009

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According to a report in ABC News, a study looking at the impact of low-dose aspirin during pregnancy on the baby's neurological health has found that low-dose aspirin appears safe and possibly even beneficial to the developing baby.

Researchers followed women who had babies born prematurely and had taken baby aspirin for 12-13 weeks during the pregnancy, and compared their outcomes to women who had not taken any aspirin. Incidence of stillbirth and birth complications were similar in both groups. The infants were also assessed once they had reached 5 years old, and their were no increased rates of psychological or neurological issues in the children who were exposed compared with the children who were not. In fact, the children whose mothers took aspirin appeared to have lower rates of behavioral problems at 5 compared to children whose mothers did not take aspirin. Researchers plan to investigate that finding further in future studies.

Doctors sometimes recommend that expecting moms take low-dose aspirin (also called "baby" aspirin) during pregnancy to reduce risk of various complications. Low-dose aspirin may also be recommended for women with a history of miscarriage, especially those who have been diagnosed with antiphospholipid syndrome or another clotting disorder. Never use aspirin during pregnancy without physician supervision.

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