Blood Test Predicts Premature Birth Risk From As Early As 18 Weeks

The blood test can identify women who are at risk of having a premature birth but are not displaying symptoms—as early as 18 weeks as into their pregnancy.

AsianScientist (Jul. 1, 2016) – Researchers in Australia and the US have developed a blood test that can identify women who are at risk of having a premature birth but are not displaying symptoms—as early as 18 weeks as into their pregnancy. Details of the blood test are published in PLOS ONE.

Premature birth is the main cause of death and disability of babies globally, and can result in lifelong physical ailments from organs not developing properly in the womb.

Associate Professor Craig Pennell from the University of Western Australia (UWA), who was the lead researcher of the study, said the test works by identifying gene expression in a person’s blood that could lead to a high probability of premature birth.

“One of the biggest problems with premature birth is that it is very hard to predict in the middle of pregnancy which deliveries will occur before 37 weeks gestation,” Pennell said.

“Our new test will enable women at high risk early access to medical care which will reduce the rate of preterm birth. In particular, in remote areas, a simple blood test mid-pregnancy can guide which women can remain in their communities and which need to seek early specialist care.”

According to the inventors, the test is the most accurate one to date and provides the earliest detection of premature birth, with a 86 percent accuracy in determining mothers at risk of early delivery.

Further evaluation of the test will be undertaken by Pennell and the UWA Perinatal Genomics Research Team before it becomes available to the broader community.


The article can be found at: Heng et al. (2016) Maternal Whole Blood Gene Expression at 18 and 28 Weeks of Gestation Associated with Spontaneous Preterm Birth in Asymptomatic Women.

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Source: University of Western Australia; Photo: Shutterstock.
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