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Test 'to predict pre-eclampsia' | Test 'to predict pre-eclampsia' |
(about 6 hours later) | |
Researchers say they are a step closer to developing a predictive test for pre-eclampsia, a dangerous condition which affects one in ten pregnancies. | Researchers say they are a step closer to developing a predictive test for pre-eclampsia, a dangerous condition which affects one in ten pregnancies. |
A team at the University of Leeds has found blood plasma taken from women with the condition contained different chemical levels from those without. | A team at the University of Leeds has found blood plasma taken from women with the condition contained different chemical levels from those without. |
They believe these markers may appear many weeks before symptoms such as high blood pressure manifest themselves. | They believe these markers may appear many weeks before symptoms such as high blood pressure manifest themselves. |
Pre-eclampsia accounts for 15% of all premature deliveries in the UK. | Pre-eclampsia accounts for 15% of all premature deliveries in the UK. |
This is because the only way to completely cure pre-eclampsia is to deliver the baby. Left untreated, the condition can lead to convulsions, kidney failure and serious liver problems. | This is because the only way to completely cure pre-eclampsia is to deliver the baby. Left untreated, the condition can lead to convulsions, kidney failure and serious liver problems. |
The earlier we diagnose the better we can control the disease, and the more chance we have of keeping the pregnancy going for longer Professor Jimmy WalkerSt James' University Hospital | The earlier we diagnose the better we can control the disease, and the more chance we have of keeping the pregnancy going for longer Professor Jimmy WalkerSt James' University Hospital |
But prematurely born babies are at risk of a variety of health problems, including developmental delay. | But prematurely born babies are at risk of a variety of health problems, including developmental delay. |
At present, urine tests and blood pressure checks diagnose those women with pre-eclampsia after 20 weeks gestation. The condition is managed for as long as possible with aspirin, and close monitoring. | |
But Leeds researchers hope that a scan of the blood for chemicals could spot those women at risk far earlier, and lead to better management of the condition. | But Leeds researchers hope that a scan of the blood for chemicals could spot those women at risk far earlier, and lead to better management of the condition. |
"It's not a cure, at this stage at least," says Professor Jimmy Walker of St James' University Hospital, who co-authored the research. | "It's not a cure, at this stage at least," says Professor Jimmy Walker of St James' University Hospital, who co-authored the research. |
"But the earlier we diagnose the better we can control the disease, and the more chance we have of keeping the pregnancy going for longer." | "But the earlier we diagnose the better we can control the disease, and the more chance we have of keeping the pregnancy going for longer." |
Costly condition | Costly condition |
The researchers found certain chemicals such as amino acids increased in concentration when a woman had pre-eclampsia, while others decreased. | The researchers found certain chemicals such as amino acids increased in concentration when a woman had pre-eclampsia, while others decreased. |
Even if we could know at 16 weeks that a woman had a high chance of developing pre-eclampsia, we remain very limited in what we can do about it Donald PeeblesThey now hope to develop a diagnostic kit within the next five years. | Even if we could know at 16 weeks that a woman had a high chance of developing pre-eclampsia, we remain very limited in what we can do about it Donald PeeblesThey now hope to develop a diagnostic kit within the next five years. |
Cutting the number of pre-eclampsia related premature deliveries could save the NHS millions of pounds a year. | Cutting the number of pre-eclampsia related premature deliveries could save the NHS millions of pounds a year. |
Globally, one woman dies every six minutes from the condition - although until an actual cure is found, diagnostic tests are unlikely to help many of these women. | Globally, one woman dies every six minutes from the condition - although until an actual cure is found, diagnostic tests are unlikely to help many of these women. |
By better understanding the mechanisms of the disease, researchers hope their work may pave the way for more effective treatment. | By better understanding the mechanisms of the disease, researchers hope their work may pave the way for more effective treatment. |
Mr Donald Peebles, a consultant obstetrician at University College Hospital, said the research was interesting but it was too early to speak of "a breakthrough". | Mr Donald Peebles, a consultant obstetrician at University College Hospital, said the research was interesting but it was too early to speak of "a breakthrough". |
"It will be crucial to establish just how early these markers appear," he says. | "It will be crucial to establish just how early these markers appear," he says. |
"But even if we could know at 16 weeks that a woman had a high chance of developing pre-eclampsia, we remain very limited in what we can do about it - at the moment it is just aspirin, monitoring, and when necessary, early delivery." | "But even if we could know at 16 weeks that a woman had a high chance of developing pre-eclampsia, we remain very limited in what we can do about it - at the moment it is just aspirin, monitoring, and when necessary, early delivery." |
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