A new landmark publication in the prestigious BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology (Q1, 2025; 0:1–9) presents promising evidence on the role of aspirin in improving pregnancy outcomes among women at risk of placental dysfunction. The study, titled “Impact of Aspirin on Timing of Birth in Pregnancies With Clinical Manifestations of Placental Dysfunction: Evidence From a Multicentre Randomised Clinical Trial,” included data from multiple countries across Asia, including Indonesia, highlighting a regional collaboration to advance maternal health.
The trial examined whether low-dose aspirin could help delay delivery in pregnancies that later developed complications caused by placental dysfunction (PD), such as preeclampsia (PE), small-for-gestational-age (SGA) babies, placental abruption, or stillbirth. These conditions are known to increase the risk of early delivery and adverse outcomes for both mother and baby.
The results showed that aspirin use was associated with a significant reduction in very early deliveries (before 32 weeks) caused by placental dysfunction. Importantly, for women who developed preeclampsia or had small babies, aspirin helped prolong the pregnancy—and even a few extra weeks can make a meaningful difference in newborn survival and development.
- At 24 weeks of gestation, aspirin prolonged pregnancy by about 2.85 weeks on average.
- At 28 weeks, this benefit was still visible at 2.09 weeks.
- At 32 weeks, the pregnancy was extended by 1.33 weeks.
These additional days or weeks are critical, especially when delivery before full term could otherwise lead to complications for the baby.
The study concludes that aspirin, when started early in pregnancy, can delay birth in women destined to develop placenta-related complications. This suggests that aspirin not only helps prevent conditions like preeclampsia but may also shift the timing of these complications to later, safer gestational ages, reducing the risks associated with preterm birth.
This publication reflects the strength of scientific collaboration across Asia and underlines the importance of early preventive strategies in maternal care. The involvement of Indonesian centers in this study signals a step forward for regional research contributions and evidence-based interventions that can benefit high-risk pregnancies worldwide.
The findings offer new insights and reaffirm the importance of early screening and timely intervention, tools that can transform maternal-fetal health outcomes, not only in Asia, but around the globe.
