New Blood Test To Predict Risk Of Preeclampsia

"The ratio of serum sFlt-1 to PlGF can help us to better predict the risk of disease onset or its progression," emphasised the study's corresponding author Stefan Verlohren from Charite - University Medicine Berlin, Germany.

The findings of the new study may help in avoiding preterm deliveries and delays in starting the treatment of preeclampsia.

Preeclampsia affects two to five per cent of pregnant women, and is one of the main reasons for complications during the second half of pregnancy. It is most often diagnosed too late and in some severe cases can turn fatal for both mother and the child.

A total of 1,273 pregnant women with suspected preeclampsia, recruited from 14 different countries, took part in the study.

All participants underwent blood tests to determine the ratio of serum sFlt-1 to PlGF. A sFlt-1 to PlGF ratio of 38 or lower was shown to have a negative predictive value of close to 100 per cent for ruling out preeclampsia within one week.