Blood Test May Help Identify Women at Risk for Preeclampsia
A new study suggests that a routine blood test may help doctors detect women who are at risk of developing preeclampsia, a condition that is a leading cause of maternal death.
What is Preeclampsia?
Preeclampsia affects 5 to 10 percent of pregnant women, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It involves a sudden rise in blood pressure and the presence of protein in the urine and can develop after the 20th week of pregnancy. If Left untreated, it can lead to serious complications for both mother and baby.
Study Focuses on Women in Labor
The study looked at women who were admitted to the hospital during labour, aiming to predict those at risk of preeclampsia. While preeclampsia can develop earlier in pregnancy, the research focused on women who were already in labor.
Blood Protein Ratio as a Key Indicator
Researchers discovered that the ratio of two blood proteins—fibrinogen and albumin—could help doctors identify women at risk of preeclampsia. Both proteins are commonly measured in routine blood tests when women are admitted to the hospital during labor.
- Fibrinogen is essential for blood clotting and inflammation.
- Albumin helps regulate fluid balance and transport hormones, vitamins, and enzymes.
In women with preeclampsia, fibrinogen levels may be elevated, albumin levels may drop, or both might occur. The study found that these disruptions could be detected by calculating the fibrinogen-to-albumin ratio (FAR).
How Does FAR Work?
There is no “normal” FAR value, but it typically ranges from 0.05 to 1 or higher. A higher FAR often signals increased inflammation or other serious health issues. According to this study, Women with a higher FAR were more likely to develop preeclampsia.
- Women with a FAR of 0.1 or more had a 24% likelihood of developing preeclampsia.
- This risk increased to over 41% when the FAR was above 0.3.
Taking Precautions for At-Risk Women
If a woman in labor is found to have a high FAR, along with other risk factors like being older than 35, having high blood pressure, or obesity, doctors can take extra precautions. These might include more frequent blood pressure checks or additional lab tests to monitor her condition.
In cases where the FAR suggests a risk for severe preeclampsia, doctors can prepare early interventions, such as administering an epidural for pain management before it becomes too risky.
Large, Diverse Study Population
The study analyzed records of 2,629 women who gave birth between 2018 and 2024. Of these, 584 had mild preeclampsia, 226 had severe preeclampsia, and the rest did not develop the condition. According to lead author Lucy Shang from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, this is the first study to investigate the connection between FAR and preeclampsia in such a large, racially diverse group of women.
This new insight could help improve care for women in labor, potentially reducing the risk of complications from preeclampsia.
Source: Inputs from various media SourcesÂ
Priya Bairagi
I’m a pharmacist with a strong background in health sciences. I hold a BSc from Delhi University and a pharmacy degree from PDM University. I write articles and daily health news while interviewing doctors to bring you the latest insights. In my free time, you’ll find me at the gym or lost in a sci-fi novel.
