An analysis of the genes of pregnant women, from a blood sample, could help predict the onset of pre-eclampsia, a sudden and sometimes serious pregnancy complication.
- In France, 5% of pregnancies are accompanied by pre-eclampsia. This complication occurs in 70 to 75% of cases during the first pregnancy.
- A blood test would make it possible to analyze the genes of pregnant women. This analysis would reveal whether pre-eclampsia could occur during pregnancy.
It is a common disease of pregnancy. Pre-eclampsia is characterized by high blood pressure and the presence of protein in the urine. This condition can occur suddenly and at any time during pregnancy. In most cases, patients deliver a healthy baby and recover quickly. But if this syndrome is not treated, it can lead to “many complications that can lead to the death of the mother and/or the child”, according to Inserm. It is therefore essential to detect it as early as possible in order to treat it early.
Recently, American researchers suggested that RNA sequencing from a blood sample could predict pre-eclampsia. To reach this conclusion, the scientists carried out a study whose the results were published in the journal Nature January 5. They analyzed eight studies on 1,840 pregnancies. Writers “have developed a method to assess the health (of the pregnant woman) and the progress of the pregnancy”can we read in a statement.
Analyzing genes with a blood test to predict pre-eclampsia
According to the scientists, analyzing the mother-to-be’s genes from a blood test could provide more details about the course of the pregnancy and also reveal whether certain complications, such as pre-eclampsia, might occur. During their work, the researchers identified “gene expression patterns” associated with an uncomplicated pregnancy. The team also found patterns that predict the onset of pre-eclampsia in 75% of cases.
The study authors said that this technique tested on pre-eclampsia had led to a seven-fold increase in the correct prediction of the disease compared to current methods. “Analyzing the progression of genes expressed in mother and baby during pregnancy offers a whole new way of describing their health status, which has not been available until now,” said Thomas McElrath, lead author of the work.
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