The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted approval to a groundbreaking blood test developed by Thermo Fisher Scientific, based in Massachusetts.
This test has the potential to identify women at risk of developing preeclampsia, a dangerous pregnancy complication that often exhibits vague symptoms and lacks a cure.
FDA Approves Groundbreaking Blood Test for Preeclampsia Risk Prediction
The test’s approval comes in the wake of the tragic death of Olympian Tori Bowie, whose life may have been claimed by preeclampsia.
With an impressive 96 percent success rate in predicting preeclampsia within two weeks, this blood test marks a significant advancement in diagnostic capabilities, hailed by experts as the first major progress in preeclampsia diagnostics since its initial definition in 1900.
By evaluating the blood’s protein levels, the test can identify imbalances associated with severe preeclampsia.
A study published in NEJM Evidence demonstrated that pregnant women with significantly imbalanced proteins had a 65 percent chance of developing severe preeclampsia and delivering their baby within two weeks.
However, it should be noted that two-thirds of women who receive a positive test result will go on to develop severe preeclampsia within that timeframe.
Preeclampsia is characterized by raised blood pressure and proteinuria, which points to kidney impairment. It commonly manifests around the middle of pregnancy.
Unfortunately, this condition often remains unnoticed due to its lack of noticeable symptoms.
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A Silent Threat to Maternal Health
However, signs such as decreased platelet count, severe headaches, vision changes, shortness of breath, rib pain, and nausea or vomiting may occur.
Swelling, particularly in the face and extremities, along with sudden weight gain, should also be monitored.
Certain risk factors, including carrying multiple babies, chronic high blood pressure, diabetes, autoimmune disorders, obesity, and maternal age over 35, can increase the likelihood of developing preeclampsia.
The Disproportionate Effect and Alarming Figures Preeclampsia poses a serious threat to maternal health, impacting one in 25 births globally and causing more than
Disturbingly, the prevalence of preeclampsia in the United States has risen by 25 percent over the past two decades.
The Preeclampsia Foundation has noted that black women are disproportionately affected by the disorder and are 60% more likely to acquire preeclampsia than white women.
Preeclampsia can develop into eclampsia, a severe variant that can result in convulsions, coma, and even death, if untreated.
Currently, the only “cure” for preeclampsia is the delivery of the baby, often resulting in premature birth.
Dr. Woelkers emphasized the lack of available therapies to reverse or cure preeclampsia, indicating that delivery becomes a last resort.
The approval of this blood test offers hope in early detection and intervention, potentially saving lives by allowing healthcare providers to closely monitor and manage pregnancies at risk of developing preeclampsia.
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