A groundbreaking new blood test uses RNA markers to predict preeclampsia risk months before symptoms appear, offering hope for improved pregnancy outcomes and reduced mortality rates.
Preeclampsia is a potentially life-threatening condition that can develop during pregnancy, characterized by ‘high blood pressure‘ and damage to organs such as the liver and kidneys. The condition can lead to severe complications, including cardiovascular disease, seizures, and even death.
Preeclampsia is a pregnancy complication characterized by high blood pressure and damage to organs such as the kidneys and liver.
It typically develops after 20 weeks of gestation and affects up to 10% of pregnancies worldwide.
The exact cause is unknown, but risk factors include first-time pregnancy, multiple pregnancies, and pre-existing medical conditions like hypertension or kidney disease.
Symptoms may include severe headaches, vision problems, and abdominal pain.
Prompt diagnosis and treatment are essential to prevent complications for both mother and baby.
A new blood test has been developed that uses RNA markers to predict whether someone without a known risk of preeclampsia is likely to develop the condition months before symptoms appear. The test focuses on specific genes, including PAPPA2 and CD163, which have previously been linked to hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDPs).
The new blood test uses RNA markers to detect overexpression of certain genes in pregnant individuals. According to researchers at Mirvie, a California-based health start-up, the test was able to predict with over 99% accuracy whether someone without pre-existing risk factors overexpressed these genes and was therefore at high risk of developing preeclampsia or another HDP.
A validation study involving over 9,000 pregnant individuals found that roughly one-quarter of those without pre-existing HDP risk factors overexpressed the genes. This suggests that the test can identify a significant proportion of pregnancies at high risk of developing preeclampsia.
Pregnancy is a complex biological process in which a fertilized egg develops into a fetus, eventually leading to childbirth.
On average, a pregnancy lasts around 40 weeks from the date of conception.
During this period, the developing fetus grows and matures, while the mother's body undergoes various physical changes to support fetal development.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 140 million births occur globally each year.
While the new blood test shows promise, there are limitations to its use. The study only looked at individuals between 17.5 weeks and 22 weeks into pregnancy, which means that many people may miss out on the opportunity to take preventive measures if they receive results after this period. Researchers hope that future studies will explore ways to extend the window for taking action.
If successful, the new blood test could revolutionize the detection of preeclampsia. By identifying individuals at high risk early on, healthcare providers can take steps to prevent the condition or mitigate its effects. This could lead to improved outcomes and reduced mortality rates among pregnant women.
- newscientist.com | Predicting Preeclampsia Risk through RNA Analysis
