pregnancy
Preeclampsia, formerly known as “pregnancy poisoning”, can lead to serious complications during pregnancy. However, it is usually only recognized late. A new procedure is intended to change that: a single blood sample can be used to analyze how high the risk of developing the disease for the expectant mother is.
If blood pressure begins to rise during pregnancy, gynecologists are alarmed. Because blood pressure values of over 140/90 can be a sign of preeclampsia – a disease that can have life-threatening consequences for mother and child. What makes preeclampsia so dangerous: It is usually only recognized when symptoms appear. In addition to high blood pressure, these include protein in the urine, swelling of the legs, rapid weight gain, visual disturbances and liver dysfunction.
RNA analysis shows risk long before symptoms
In order to prevent damage to the mother’s health, the birth must be initiated early. A dilemma, because a premature birth in turn means a health risk for the child. Eight percent of all pregnant women are affected by the disease. There is no treatment for preeclampsia, but the active ingredient acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) contained in aspirin is used in low doses worldwide for prevention.
Researchers have now developed a method that is supposed to predict the risk of preeclampsia – months before symptoms appear. The results of the study were in „Nature“ released. The research team around Morten Rasmussen from US-Startup Mirvie collected and analyzed cell-free RNA – RNA molecules freely circulating in the blood – from blood samples from more than 1,800 pregnant women.
“Risk can be greatly reduced”
The analysis provided information regarding changes in the Gene expression during a healthy pregnancy – and also regarding unusual changes. The researchers, including those from King’s College in London and Stanford University, used this knowledge to predict the possible development of preeclampsia. Even a single blood sample from the expectant mother is sufficient.
Preventive therapy with low-dose aspirin can be tailored to the pregnant woman at an early stage. According to the authors of the study, the risk of illness and mortality associated with preeclampsia can be greatly reduced by the new procedure.
