Low-dose aspirin during pregnancy appears to have no effect on child’s neurodevelopment

Low-dose aspirin during pregnancy is safe, according to a new study published in The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists’ Obstetrics and Gynecology. Researchers found that the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development (Bayley-III) cognitive composite scores indicated no difference when pregnant parents took low-dose aspirin early in pregnancy compared to a placebo. In other words, it neither worsened nor improved a child’s neurodevelopment.

The research was a follow-up study to the multinational ASPIRIN trial, which showed that when women were randomized to low-dose aspirin during pregnancy, they had lower rates of preterm birth, preterm hypertensive disorders, and perinatal mortality. Researchers of the current study wanted to gather additional information on any potential long-term effects of in utero aspirin on a child’s neurodevelopment later. Children were assessed at age 3 years with both Bayley-III and the ASQ-3 (Ages and Stages Questionnaire, 3rd edition).

A total of 640 children (329 in the low-dose aspirin group, 311 in the placebo group) were evaluated between September 2021 and June 2022. Mothers were randomized to daily low-dose aspirin (81 mg) or placebo through early pregnancy up to 37 weeks.

No significant differences were seen in the language composite score or the motor composite score. Authors wrote that communication, gross motor, fine motor, problem-solving, and personal–social components of the ASQ-3 did not differ between groups, either. Researchers also noted maternal characteristics, delivery outcomes, breastfeeding rates, breastfeeding duration, and home environment and also found no differences.