Biomarker Test Reliably Predicts Preeclampsia Researchers have identified a biomarker to determine the risk of preeclampsia just 6 weeks into pregnancy. A team from the University of Iowa have developed a blood test to reliably predict a woman’s chances of developing the potentially life-threatening condition during the latter stages of pregnancy. Through measuring the maternal plasma copeptin – an inert, stable biomarker of vasopressin secretion that has a longer half-life in the blood than vasopressin – were able to detect preeclampsia with a high degree of accuracy. In the study, the scientists analysed samples from a total of 54 pregnant, non preeclamptic women, 50 pregnant women with preeclampsia and a further 33 women who were not pregnant. Copeptin concentration was markedly higher in pregnant women who developed preeclampsia when compared to the non-preeclamptic control group in the first, second and third trimesters. Additionally, the trimester-specific copeptin concentrations in preeclamptic women were elevated compared to non-pregnant women. Preeclampsia is a cardiovascular disorder that affects an estimated 2-8% of pregnancies worldwide. Outlining the seriousness of the condition and the potential for the test, Mark Santillan, assistant professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, commented: “Preeclampsia is a horrible hypertensive disorder of pregnancy that can be very dangerous to both the mother and the baby. [It] can cause liver failure, kidney failure, seizures, and death. Preeclamptic mothers and babies born to these preeclamptic moms are also at increased lifetime risk for heart attacks, stroke, and diabetes.” “We’ve broken the circle of ‘no test, no model, no cure’ which has plagued the preeclampsia field for centuries,” added Justin Grobe, assistant professor of Pharmacology. While there is currently no treatment for preeclampsia other than premature delivery of the baby, the researchers are also investigating new drug targets. The group is also exploring the possibility of a home test kit based on a urine test. Biomarker Test Reliably Predicts Preeclampsia
Posted on: Sat, 02 Aug 2014 11:49:07 +0000
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