Preeclampsia Detection Initiative Aims to Reduce Maternal Mortality
Maternal Mortality: A Leading Cause Goes Undetected until it’s Too Late
A leading cause of maternal mortality often goes unnoticed. By the time it’s diagnosed, it’s sometimes too late to stem the damage.
Preeclampsia: A Serious Condition with Far-Reaching Consequences
Doctors typically do not identify preeclampsia, a serious form of high blood pressure developed during pregnancy, until blood pressure and urine checks are so pronounced that the condition has likely progressed, causing organ damage. When cases are detected this late, women often end up going into preterm labor, resulting in consequences for babies and mothers.
Disproportionate Impact on Women of Color
Women of color, particularly Black and Native women, are at much greater risk of having the condition due to existing health issues.
New Initiative to Detect and Treat Preeclampsia Earlier
An initiative announced this week aims to detect and treat preeclampsia earlier. If preeclampsia can be curbed, more women will be able to bring their babies to term. Treatment can be as simple as prescribing aspirin to reduce or prevent the condition.
Importance of Early Detection
Tania Kamphaus, director of metabolic disorders at the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health, noted that even with small preventative steps, “You can make a dramatic difference to a person’s life and the life of the baby” if preeclampsia is detected early.
Alarming Rise in Maternal Deaths
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that maternal deaths have increased, with 1,205 women dying in 2021 compared to 861 in 2020. Black women died at more than twice the rate of white women. The CDC has also determined that more than 80% of pregnancy-related deaths are preventable.
Preeclampsia’s Impact and Global Prevalence
Nearly a third of pregnant people who died during delivery had a hypertensive disorder, which includes preeclampsia. Globally, between 10 and 15% of maternal deaths are caused by preeclampsia and related complications, according to the March of Dimes. Preeclampsia can also occur postpartum.
Current Challenges in Detection
The condition typically manifests after the 20th week of pregnancy. It is often discovered through blood pressure and urine checks, as well as other symptoms such as severe headaches and changes in vision. However, doctors have been limited in detecting the condition in patients, often only finding it when it’s too late.
Advancing Diagnostic Testing for Preeclampsia
The newly launched three-year initiative seeks to evaluate data on Placental Growth Factor (PlGF) and Pregnancy-Associated Plasma Protein-A (PAPP-A), two biomarkers that can help in diagnosing preeclampsia. The project will draw from data on over 25,000 racially and ethnically diverse pregnancies from the US and Canada.
Using Biomarkers to Identify At-Risk Patients
The presence of PlGF and PAPP-A in pregnant women’s blood does not confirm preeclampsia, but it helps in identifying patients at higher risk. Close monitoring and the early administration of preventive measures like aspirin can be implemented for these patients.
Potential for Early Detection and Better Care
The ultimate goal of the initiative is to gain FDA approval for the early detection test, paving the way for the development of diagnostic tests through public access to the data. This breakthrough could assist in the development of more effective treatments and provide valuable insights.
Preeclampsia’s Long-Term Consequences
Without early intervention, preeclampsia can lead to organ damage, preterm birth, and an increased risk of heart failure and heart disease for women.
Growing Opportunities in Research and Clinical Trials
Broader access to early detection of preeclampsia could result in more inclusive and effective clinical trials, leading to improved treatments in the future.
Conclusion
This comprehensive initiative to detect and treat preeclampsia earlier in pregnancy offers hope for reducing maternal mortality rates and improving the long-term health of both mothers and babies. By harnessing the potential of biomarker-based diagnostic testing, early intervention and effective treatments can be implemented, creating a positive impact on the lives of women and their children.
