Daily low-dose aspirin administered to all pregnant patients at their first prenatal visit significantly reduces the incidence of severe preeclampsia, according to research presented at the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM) 2026 Pregnancy Meeting™ in Las Vegas, Nevada, on February 11, 2026.
The study involved providing 162 mg of daily aspirin to all patients at or before 16 weeks’ gestation, beginning in August 2022. Researchers found an overall reduction in the development of severe preeclampsia, a life-threatening complication characterized by dangerously high blood pressure and signs of damage to vital organs like the liver, kidneys, or brain.
Preeclampsia, and its more severe form SPE (preeclampsia with severe features), remains a leading cause of maternal morbidity and mortality worldwide. In the United States, hypertensive disorders accounted for 7.7% of all pregnancy-related deaths in 2024, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, and Prevention.
While low-dose aspirin therapy has previously been shown to facilitate prevent preeclampsia among high-risk patients when initiated between 12 and 28 weeks of pregnancy, its employ has been inconsistent. Recent guidelines have suggested considering universal aspirin use in high-risk populations. The fresh research aimed to understand the effect of universal aspirin therapy in reducing SPE within a population with a high rate of preeclampsia.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends a daily dose of 81-mg aspirin for preeclampsia prevention, though some physicians prescribe two 81-mg tablets daily. Studies have indicated that a 150-mg dosage may be more effective, but the 81-mg tablet remains the most readily available option in the United States.
According to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) guidelines, women with one or more high-risk factors for preeclampsia should take low-dose aspirin to prevent all variations of the condition, including HELLP syndrome. Women with several moderate-risk factors may also benefit. High-risk factors include a history of preeclampsia or multifetal gestation.
The study’s approach of directly dispensing aspirin in prenatal clinics aimed to overcome common barriers to medication adherence. Further research is ongoing to evaluate the long-term effects of this universal aspirin therapy on both maternal and neonatal outcomes.
