Low-dose aspirin could be an effective prophylaxis for recurrent preterm birth, with new research suggesting it may cut the risk of spontaneous birth before 37 weeks’ gestation by almost a third.

Swedish doctors say the protection afforded in this setting is similar to the preventive effect of low-dose aspirin on the development of pre-eclampsia in high-risk women.

Using data from some 22,000 women who had a first and second pregnancy between 2006 and 2019, the Uppsala University-led team explored the effect of prophylactic aspirin on perinatal outcomes.

All participants had a first pregnancy that resulted in preterm birth; 14% were prescribed low-dose aspirin in their second pregnancy and 17% gave birth before 37 weeks’ gestation.