- The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted approval to a blood test for preeclampsia, a potentially deadly blood-pressure disease that occurs during pregnancy.
- This test is the first of its kind to predict the development of the condition.
- Preeclampsia affects approximately one in 25 pregnancies in the United States, with Black women disproportionately affected.
The FDA has granted approval to a blood test that can predict the risk of developing preeclampsia, a severe blood-pressure disease that affects pregnant individuals.
Preeclampsia occurs when a person develops high blood pressure after 20 weeks of pregnancy and is a leading cause of maternal death and disability worldwide.
According to the nonprofit Preeclampsia Foundation, the rate of preeclampsia in the US has increased by 25% in the past two decades.
About one in 25 pregnancies in the US is affected by preeclampsia, with Black women being disproportionately affected.
Preeclampsia can cause damage to organs such as the kidneys, liver, and brain, and increase the risk of preterm birth and pregnancy loss.
The blood test was developed by Thermo Fisher Scientific and is already available in Europe. The FDA granted approval for the test in May.
This test is intended for pregnant individuals who have been hospitalized for blood pressure disorders and helps determine their risks of developing severe preeclampsia by measuring the balance of specific proteins in their blood.
A wider ratio of these proteins indicates a greater likelihood of developing severe preeclampsia.
According to Dr. Doug Woelkers, a professor of maternal fetal medicine at the University of California, San Diego, this test is groundbreaking and the first significant advancement in preeclampsia diagnostics since 1900.
Preeclampsia disproportionately affects Black pregnant individuals, who are about five times more likely to die from cardiovascular disorders related to preeclampsia and eclampsia.
The Preeclampsia Foundation states that approximately six out of ten deaths related to preeclampsia are preventable.
Common symptoms of preeclampsia include headaches, vision problems, nausea, trouble breathing, sudden weight gain, and swelling in the face or hands.
Regular visits to the doctor during pregnancy are crucial for early detection, especially for individuals without symptoms.
In severe cases, preeclampsia can progress to eclampsia, which is marked by seizures and poses a significant threat to both the pregnant individual and the baby.
Currently, giving birth is the only cure for preeclampsia. Treatment options include medications to lower blood pressure and manage complications.
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