A Non-invasive Blood Test Could Indicate Preterm Delivery Risk in Pregnant Women

New Delhi, Feb 20 (NationPress) A collaborative research effort between teams from the US and Canada has revealed that a non-invasive blood test has the potential to identify which expectant mothers might experience preterm deliveries. This breakthrough could pave the way for a standardized screening method aimed at reducing the incidence of preterm births, which pose risks to both the mother and the baby.

Researchers affiliated with Mount Sinai Hospital and the University of Toronto discovered that diminished levels of placental growth factor (PlGF), a protein indicative of placental health, correlate with the likelihood of preterm birth. Preterm birth is classified as delivery before the 34-week mark of gestation.

Their research, published in JAMA Network Open, indicates that a straightforward blood test measuring PlGF levels in pregnant women could prompt healthcare providers to enhance monitoring and strategize delivery plans. PlGF is a protein secreted by the placenta into the maternal bloodstream.

This protein facilitates the relaxation of maternal blood vessels and aids in stabilizing blood pressure during pregnancy, accommodating the increased blood volume and cardiac output necessary for fetal growth. Furthermore, it serves to protect the mother from excessive blood loss during delivery.

The research team established that low PlGF levels may lead to severe hypertension known as preeclampsia, which often requires early intervention and delivery in approximately two-thirds of those with decreased PlGF levels.

Another significant issue, fetal growth restriction, is responsible for many medically required preterm births.

“Anticipating high-risk factors allows for improved outcomes in pregnancy,” stated Rachel Gladstone from Sinai Health. “Monitoring for elevated blood pressure and possibly using anti-hypertensive medications can help manage these risks.”

“If the initial delivery plan involves a community hospital, considering care at a tertiary facility could be safer for both the mother and baby, avoiding emergency transfers for unforeseen complications,” she added.

PlGF levels typically rise as a healthy placenta matures, peaking around 28 weeks as the third trimester begins.

The investigation revealed that if PlGF levels fall below 100 picograms per milliliter between the 24 and 28 weeks of gestation, the likelihood of an early birth before 34 weeks escalates to nearly 50 times higher. Since only about 1.5% of pregnant women fall into this category, the PlGF test exhibits high specificity and minimal false-positive results, according to the researchers.

Conducted from 2020 to 2023, this study involved over 9,000 pregnant participants. It also indicated that other variables, such as maternal weight and past pregnancy outcomes, did not influence the relationship between low PlGF levels and preterm birth.