Study: Aspirin linked to 29% lower preeclampsia rate

Prescribing daily aspirin at the first prenatal visit to all pregnant mothers was linked to a 29% overall reduction in developing severe preeclampsia, according to a large cohort study presented at the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine meeting. Researchers compared the birth outcomes of 18,457 patients who delivered their babies at Parkland Hospital in Dallas between 2023 and 2025 after the facility implemented universal aspirin to a similar number of patients before the change occurred. The researchers also found patients given aspirin who developed severe preeclampsia did so later in pregnancy compared with those who did not receive it. Researchers found no increase in maternal hemorrhage or placental abruption with aspirin therapy. Preeclampsia is a leading cause of maternal death worldwide. (Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine news release, 2/11/26)