Low-dose aspirin is usually taken to prevent preeclampsia.
The study, led by an international team from RMIT University in Australia in collaboration with a team from Trinity College Dublin, Ireland, investigated whether treatments for preeclampsia could be applied to flu infections.
They found very promising results in animal studies – aspirin doses reduced inflammation and improved fetal development and offspring survival.
In contrast, the fetuses and placentas of mice with influenza A were smaller than those of uninfected mice. They also found low blood oxygen and poor blood vessel development in the fetuses.
Lead researcher Dr Stella Leong, a post-doctoral research student at RMIT University in Melbourne, said flu infection during pregnancy could mimic preeclampsia, a complication of pregnancy that causes inflammation in the aorta and blood vessels.
She explained: "When the vascular system becomes inflamed, it impairs blood flow and affects the function of the aorta."
"This is particularly a problem during pregnancy where good blood flow to the placenta is important for fetal development."
While the research still awaits human clinical trials, Leong said low-dose aspirin is already considered safe to take during pregnancy.
However, pregnant people should seek medical advice before taking new medications, the research team said.
The study, led by an international team from RMIT University in Australia in collaboration with a team from Trinity College Dublin, Ireland, investigated whether treatments for preeclampsia could be applied to flu infections.
They found very promising results in animal studies – aspirin doses reduced inflammation and improved fetal development and offspring survival.
In contrast, the fetuses and placentas of mice with influenza A were smaller than those of uninfected mice. They also found low blood oxygen and poor blood vessel development in the fetuses.
Lead researcher Dr Stella Leong, a post-doctoral research student at RMIT University in Melbourne, said flu infection during pregnancy could mimic preeclampsia, a complication of pregnancy that causes inflammation in the aorta and blood vessels.
She explained: "When the vascular system becomes inflamed, it impairs blood flow and affects the function of the aorta."
"This is particularly a problem during pregnancy where good blood flow to the placenta is important for fetal development."
While the research still awaits human clinical trials, Leong said low-dose aspirin is already considered safe to take during pregnancy.
However, pregnant people should seek medical advice before taking new medications, the research team said.
