Early Detection of Preeclampsia May Become a Reality

by Kim Neyer | More from this Blogger

18 Sep 2010 09:07 AM

Researchers are developing a blood test that might identify a woman's risk for preeclampsia early on during her pregnancy, according to an article featured in Businessweek. This is great news for moms who have a family history or a personal history with the disease and are especially concerned over whether they can expect to develop preeclampsia near the end of their pregnancy.

The test uses metabolic profiling to identify certain biomarkers in the blood that give away a woman's level of risk for developing preeclampsia later on. Researchers identified fourteen metabolic targets to watch for signs of preeclampsia risk. Researchers hope to develop early prevention and treatment options. Identifying a woman's risk early during her pregnancy is key to discovering those treatments. Despite the fact that symptoms do not typically arise until the third trimester, the disease begins early during pregnancy. It's possible preeclampsia begins with a problem with the placenta, but it is not completely understood.

Preeclampsia causes high spikes in blood pressure, which are dangerous for both mom and baby. Women with preeclampsia are often induced early to prevent any major problems. The only present cure for preeclampsia is to have the baby. Blood pressure will return to more normal levels soon after the baby is born.

The blood test, which researchers hope will be able to accurately identify a pregnant woman's risk for preeclampsia, is expected to be available within the next five years. The study was lead by Dr. Louise C. Kenny, a professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the Anu Research Center, University College Cork, in Cork, Ireland. This isn't the first time we've seen researchers working with these biomarkers identifying early risk of preeclampsia; Canadian researchers were trying to develop a diagnostic test using biomarker technology since at least 2008, which is when our very own blogger Pattie Hughes wrote about it in a December blog.

Learn more about Kim Neyer

Kim is a freelance writer, photographer and stay at home mom to her one-year-old son, Micah. She has been married to her husband, Eric, since 2006.

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