This test could help predict a dangerous pregnancy disorder
| Jan 4, 2020, 09:41 IST
A team of researchers in Australia have discovered a way to detect the onset of a deadly pregnancy disorder called preeclampsia. The medical condition reportedly kills 76,000 women and close to half a million babies annually.
The test was developed by a team from Edith Cowan University (ECU) in Perth Western Australia. They say their test is simple and an affordable way to predict the deadly condition. Preeclampsia can cause serious complications for women and babies. It can cause brain and liver injury in mothers and even premature birth.
For the study, the team examined the health status of almost 593 pregnant Ghanaian women. They did so by using a Suboptimal Health Questionnaire, which was developed by Professor Wei Wang from ECU's School of Health and Medical Sciences in 2009. It can share insight that can help predict chronic diseases.
"In developing nations, preeclampsia is a leading cause of death for both mothers and babies. In Ghana, it's responsible for 18 per cent of maternal deaths," Professor Wang's PhD candidate Enoch Anto told a news portal. Adding, "But it can be treated using medication that lowers blood pressure once diagnosed."
Anto further explained: "Both blood tests for magnesium and calcium and the Suboptimal Health Questionnaire are inexpensive, making this ideally suited to the developing world where preeclampsia causes the most suffering."
The test was developed by a team from Edith Cowan University (ECU) in Perth Western Australia. They say their test is simple and an affordable way to predict the deadly condition. Preeclampsia can cause serious complications for women and babies. It can cause brain and liver injury in mothers and even premature birth.
For the study, the team examined the health status of almost 593 pregnant Ghanaian women. They did so by using a Suboptimal Health Questionnaire, which was developed by Professor Wei Wang from ECU's School of Health and Medical Sciences in 2009. It can share insight that can help predict chronic diseases.
"In developing nations, preeclampsia is a leading cause of death for both mothers and babies. In Ghana, it's responsible for 18 per cent of maternal deaths," Professor Wang's PhD candidate Enoch Anto told a news portal. Adding, "But it can be treated using medication that lowers blood pressure once diagnosed."
Anto further explained: "Both blood tests for magnesium and calcium and the Suboptimal Health Questionnaire are inexpensive, making this ideally suited to the developing world where preeclampsia causes the most suffering."