Low-dose aspirin for preventing intrauterine growth restriction and pre-eclampsia in sickle cell pregnancy (PIPSICKLE): a randomised controlled trial (study protocol).

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Pregnancy in sickle cell disease is fraught with many complications including pre-eclampsia (PE) and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). Previously, we found an abnormality in prostacyclin-thromboxane ratio in sickle cell pregnant women, a situation that is also found in non-sickle pregnancies with PE and unexplained IUGR. Low-dose aspirin (LDA) has been shown to reduce the incidence of PE and IUGR in high-risk women by reducing the vasoconstrictor thromboxane while sparing prostacyclin, in effect 'correcting' the ratio. It has been found to be safe for use in pregnancy but has not been tested in sickle cell pregnancy. We hypothesise that LDA will reduce the incidence of IUGR and PE in pregnant haemoglobin SS (HbSS) and haemoglobin SC (HbSC) women.

Methods and a

SUBMITTER: Afolabi BB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8365818 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature