PEARLS

Project Details

Pre-eclampsia is a condition that affects some women in pregnancy. Women with pre-eclampsia develop high blood pressure, protein in the urine, and problems with the kidneys or liver. It results from problems with the placenta which affects blood supply to the pregnancy. Pre-eclampsi is a leading cause of maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality worldwide. Intake of oral aspirin that starts early in the pregnancy and that is taken daily throughout pregnancy can help prevent pre-eclampsia in women who are at moderate or high risk of developing pre-term pre-eclampsia.

The PEARLS (Preventing pre-eclampsia: Evaluating AspiRin Low-dose regimens following risk Screening) is a randomised trial comparing the effects of daily intake of two different doses of aspirin during pregnancy: 75 mg and 150mg.

The trial will be implemented in multiple sites across Ghana, Kenya and South Africa,

Results from the formative phase research are expected in early 2025, and results from the main trial are expected in early 2027. This landmark trial will impact global recommendations on dosage of aspirin for pre-eclampsia prevention.