Low-Cost Blood Test to Predict Preterm Preeclampsia during Pregnancy

Preterm preeclampsia is a significant global concern, causing more than 70,000 maternal deaths and half a million fetal deaths each year. Symptoms include elevated blood pressure and protein levels in the urine, indicative of kidney or other organ damage. The condition is particularly complex for healthcare providers to address because it disproportionately affects women from different racial backgrounds, with black women facing the highest risk. Other factors that contribute to risk include being pregnant for the first time, having a history of high blood pressure or chronic kidney disease, diabetes, and high body mass index. Now, new research has revealed that combining current best-in-class biomarkers with metabolite biomarkers can significantly improve early detection of preterm preeclampsia.

In the research led by Metabolomic Diagnostics (Cork, Ireland), in collaboration with King’s College Hospital London (London, UK), scientists developed a new diagnostic method that has demonstrated a 15% improvement in detection rates for preterm preeclampsia. The study marks a significant leap in preterm preeclampsia screening by combining metabolite biomarkers with established clinical markers—namely, serum placental growth factor (PlGF), mean arterial pressure (MAP), and uterine artery pulsatility index (UTA-PI).

Based on their findings, Metabolomic is now developing a simple blood test that integrates PlGF measurements with metabolomics technology. This will help stratify patients based on their level of risk and assist healthcare professionals in delivering more effective care. The test will not only be cost-effective but can also be easily scaled for widespread screening in clinical labs. The gathered biomarker data can be added to existing first-trimester clinical guidelines, offering a simple, robust, and easily accessible way to predict the risk for preterm preeclampsia.

“This research clearly shows that metabolite biomarkers can be combined with established predictors, demonstrating the potential for personalized screening strategies tailored to individual patient profiles – precision medicine at its best,” said Dr. Robin Tuytten, CEO of Metabolomic Diagnostics. “Our goal is to improve health equity by facilitating patient access to screening, acknowledging that every pregnant patient is different and achieving better pregnancy outcomes for all families. We want to improve current strategies and make screening available for every pregnancy.”

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