20th June 2003
PRE-ECLAMPSIA STUDY AIMS TO PROVIDE SCREENING TEST
A new study into the potentially life-threatening pregnancy condition pre-eclampsia has just begun and experts hope it could lead to the development of a crucial screening test.
Pre-eclampsia is detected when pregnant women develop high blood pressure, swelling and protein in their urine. If left untreated, both mothers and babies can die from it. Previous research has suggested that it may occur because of a protein that is released by the placenta into the mother's circulatory system. The protein is believed to damage the lining of the blood vessels and cause them to constrict.
The new study will try to identify the protein and discover more about its characteristics. If successful, it's hoped it could lead to a screening test for the condition, plus improved diagnosis and treatments.
The study is being led by Professor Philip Baker, with funding from the British Heart Foundation (BHF), and is based at the Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre at the University of Manchester and UMIST's department of Chemistry. The research will span over a two-year period and a sample of women will be taken from St. Mary's and the Hope Hospitals in Manchester.
Commenting on the research, Professor Philip Baker said, "There's a serious need for an effective treatment for pre-eclampsia which can be used as early as possible in the development of the condition. This would help reduce the cost of present day obstetric and neonatal care as well as lessen the impact of serious diseases on children in the future."
Mike Rich, chief executive of Action on Pre-Eclampsia, welcomed the study and said, "It is vitally important that we know more about the causes of pre-eclampsia. A screening test that would enable clinicians to identify those women at risk from this disorder would be a real step forward in the treatment and management of this disease."
Where to next?- Having a difficult pregnancy? Chat to others, in the pregnancy problems discussion forum
- Find out all about pre-eclampsia
- Visit the Action on Pre-eclampsia website
- Want to talk? Visit the Your Shout discussion forum
- Read about other pregnancy complications