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Severe pregnancy complication could soon be detected by blood test

Although the test won't be available for a while, doctors and parent advocates say it may someday save lives.

Credit: AP

Bekah Bischoff plays Pictionary Man with her children, Henry and Ady, on Feb. 8, 2018 in Louisville, Ky. Bischoff, who developed preeclampsia during two pregnancies and now helps other moms who’ve had the condition, said she was diagnosed late in the third trimester both times. While pregnant with Henry in 2012, she found out she had a very severe type called HELLP Syndrome at 36 weeks. He was delivered that day. She nearly died. (Marty Pearl/Courier Journal via AP)

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A blood test may one day be able to predict whether someone who is pregnant will develop a serious blood pressure disorder months before symptoms show up.

Preeclampsia happens in around one of 20 pregnancies, usually in the third trimester, and can cause organ damage, stroke and preterm birth.

A study published in the journal Nature on Wednesday shows the experimental blood test can correctly identify 75% of women who go on to develop the condition.

Although the test won't be available for a while, doctors and parent advocates say it may someday save lives.

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