Aspirin: Indications and use during pregnancy

Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) has been used ever since the Antiquity for its painkilling and anti-inflammatory effects. Its antiplatelet properties have then extended its indications to the field of coronaropathy and vascular cerebral disease, and finally to vascular placental disease. Aspirin has been widely prescribed since the 1980's to prevent pre-eclampsia, intra-uterine growth retardation and fetal death of vascular origin. It has also been proposed to prevent unexplained recurrent miscarriages. Its use during pregnancy is considered as safe, provided the daily doses do not exceed 100mg. Aspirin has been proven efficient to prevent pre-eclampsia and fetal growth restriction in high-risk patients. The benefits of prescribing aspirin have been demonstrated neither for vascular placental disease prevention in low risk patients, nor in cases of unexplained recurrent miscarriages.