Effect of maternal low dose aspirin on neonatal platelet function.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effect of maternal low dose aspirin ingestion in platelet function of newborn.

DESIGN

Prospective randomized placebo controlled study.

METHODS

25 neonates born to mothers receiving low dose aspirin and 25 matched neonates with no maternal exposure to aspirin were studied. 2 ml of EDTA and 4.5 ml of citrate blood was collected from umbilical vein using double clamped umbilical stump for hemogram, coagulation profile and platelet functions.

RESULTS

The platelet counts (10(9)/l) of study and control groups were 186.4 +/- 22.76 (116-225) and 205.28 +/- 17.34 (176-225), respectively. There was no significant difference in coagulation parameters. Prothrombin time index (PTI) was 86.24 +/- 6.623 and 87 +/- 6.43, respectively in the study and control group while PTTK (sec) was 55.88 +/- 20.54 and 52.12 +/- 11.82 in study and control subjects, respectively. The platelet aggregation studies (platelet function) with various platelet agonists in study and control group did not show any significant difference. Clinically, none of the babies had bleeding.

CONCLUSIONS

Use of low dose aspirin in pregnant women was found to be safe and had no adverse effects on platelet functions of newborn.