New blood test could help predict pre-eclampsia risk

Tommy's news, 09/05/2018
The Royal Women's Hospital in Melbourne are introducing a blood test they helped to develop which could predict a pregnant woman's likelihood of developing pre-eclampsia.
Pre-eclampsia affects up to 6% of pregnancies in UK. The condition only occurs in pregnancy - typically after 20 weeks - and early signs of pre-eclampsia include high blood pressure and the presence of protein in urine. Other symptoms can include swelling of the feet, ankles, face and hands, severe headaches, vision problems and pain just below the ribs.
There is currently no cure for pre-eclampsia, save for delivering the baby. For this reason, it is one of the main causes of preterm birth. Hypertensive disorders, including pre-eclampsia, account for around 8-10% of all preterm births.
Read more pre-eclampsia statistics.
During the trial, doctors tested women who had symptoms consistent with pre-eclampsia, such as high blood pressure, and were able to differentiate between women who were at high risk of developing the condition and those who were not.
'This new test is a long-awaited and very important step forward.' Professor Shaun Brennecke, Director of Pregnancy Research at the Royal Women’s hospital
It is hoped that the pre-eclampsia ratio test (PERT) will give doctors more information about the likelihood of a woman developing pre-eclampsia and its severity, allowing them to determine the best time to deliver the baby safely.
The exact cause of pre-eclampsia is not known and more research needs to be done into the condition. However, it’s thought that there is a link between pre-eclampsia and problems with the placenta.
If left untreated, pre-eclampsia can lead to serious complications for mother and baby.
'I didn’t realise until afterwards just how serious it was and what complications it can cause. Knowing that for future pregnancies I can have a test to tell me if I’m at risk of developing it again, I think that’s wonderful.'Hannah Torres, diagnosed with pre-eclampsia
Tommy's pre-eclampsia research
Tommy’s funds pioneering research into the causes of pre-eclampsia, and the best ways of finding and caring for women at risk. We want to know why it happens, so we can work to prevent it.
Discover our current pre-eclampsia research
-
11 key research questions to reduce the number of stillbirths
Published today, the results of the Stillbirth Priority Setting Partnership identify 11 key priorities for research into the reduction of stillbirth and improving care for parents who have experienced a stillbirth. -
25 years of Tommy's
From a homemade campaign run from a broom cupboard in St Thomas' Hospital, to the UK's largest charity funding research into the causes of baby loss! -
7 things every parent of a preemie should know
After giving birth to her baby at 26 weeks and spending time in the NICU, blogger Sarah shares some pointers for parents of premature babies. -
Abdominal stitch is more effective than vaginal stitch for recurrent preterm births
A clinical trial has shown that an abdominal stitch can save babies’ lives. Abdominal stitch is more effective than vaginal stitch for recurrent preterm births. -
Advice to help you cope on Mother’s Day
In the lead up to Mother's Day, you might find yourself thinking about how to process your emotions and what to do on the day itself. -
Advice from our midwives for coping with miscarriage during the pandemic
We know that parents going through miscarriage need support more than ever in coronavirus lockdown. -
Amanda Holden launches Theo’s Hope appeal
As part of Baby Loss Awareness Week, Amanda is setting up a fund via Tommy’s to provide special bereavement counsellors at all UK maternity units. -
Artist raises money and awareness for Tommy’s with a rainbow tree.
Artist Hana Earley has "yarn-bombed" a tree in Redbourn to help raise money for Tommy's, and acts as a memorial for families who have experienced baby loss. -
Beautiful miscarriage tattoo goes viral
Joan Bremer's remembrance tattoo sparks debate over how people should share their miscarriage experiences -
Bereaved parents falling through the gaps in mental health care
Report reveals that 60% of bereaved parents felt they needed specialist psychological support for their mental health but were not able to access via the NHS. -
Bile acid blood test could indicate risk of stillbirth
This discovery will help doctors identify the small number of women at most risk who require intervention to prevent stillbirth. -
Blogger shares photos of her ectopic pregnancy scars to support others
Travel blogger, Olive Cookes opening up about her experience – scars and all – in a bid to support anyone currently going through an ectopic pregnancy.
Tommy’s news and views
-
Our quest to get amazing independent documentary Still Loved continues…
-
This miscarriage sketch illustrates what words can not
-
Nicola Sturgeon’s miscarriage revelation is just one of the reasons women should not be asked why they don’t have children
-
YouTube star suffers horrible body-shaming after her miscarriage