Innovative Blood Test Detects Pregnancy Health Issues Earlier
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Synopsis
A groundbreaking blood test developed by Australian scientists can detect pregnancy health complications early, potentially improving prenatal care and reducing hospital admissions for newborns.
Key Takeaways
- New blood test detects pregnancy complications early.
- Can identify issues as early as 11 weeks.
- Over 90% accuracy in risk identification.
- Potential for significant healthcare cost savings.
- Revolutionizes prenatal risk assessment and interventions.
Sydney, Feb 27 (NationPress) A group of Australian researchers has created a novel blood test that can identify health complications during pregnancy at an earlier stage.
The research team from the University of Queensland (UQ) announced in a study published on Thursday that their "nanoflower sensor" could significantly decrease the number of hospital admissions for newborns, according to a report by Xinhua news agency.
This test analyzes blood samples for specific cell biomarkers, enabling the detection of complications such as gestational diabetes, risks of preterm birth, and elevated blood pressure as early as 11 weeks into a pregnancy.
Carlos Salomon Gallo from UQ's Center for Clinical Research noted that the team evaluated the sensor using blood samples from 201 pregnant women at 11-13 weeks of gestation and identified potential complications.
Currently, many pregnancy-related issues are not detected until the second or third trimester, which can hinder timely intervention. However, this advanced technology allows pregnant women to seek medical assistance much sooner. The biosensor boasts an accuracy rate of over 90 percent in recognizing women at risk for developing complications, Gallo explained.
The researcher indicated that this innovative technology could save the healthcare system millions annually by decreasing admissions to neonatal intensive care units and avoiding emergency procedures in pregnancy, including cesarean sections.
“This could transform early risk assessments and interventions, enhancing clinical decision-making in obstetric care,” Gallo added.
Mostafa Kamal Masud, a co-author from UQ's Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, mentioned that the technology utilizes nanosensors to identify low levels of biomarkers that signal potential health issues, which are often overlooked by current, less sensitive testing methods.
The findings of this research have been published in the journal Science Advances.
