New Delhi. Preeclampsia during pregnancy can now be identified with a simple blood test. Recent research has shown that doctors can assess the risk of preeclampsia in pregnant women by analyzing the ratio of two blood proteinsfibrinogen and albumin. This research could prove to be an important step forward for pregnant women, as preeclampsia is a serious and sometimes fatal condition. Preeclampsia is a condition associated with high blood pressure and the presence of protein in the urine in pregnancy, which usually develops in the 20th week of pregnancy. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 5 to 10 percent of pregnant women are affected. This condition can pose a serious threat not only to the mother but also to the fetus.
Researchers analyzed the records of 2,629 pregnant women between 2018 and 2024. Of these women, 1,819 did not have preeclampsia, while 584 had mild symptoms and 226 had severe symptoms. As a result, it was found that women who had a higher fibrinogentoalbumin ratio (FAR) were also more likely to develop preeclampsia.
The study revealed that if hospitalized pregnant women had a FAR level less than 0.1, they had a 24% chance of having preeclampsia. But as this level reaches 0.3, this probability increases to 41%. This means that the risk of preeclampsia increases, which requires caution.
Experts suggest that if the pregnant woman is above 35 years of age or has preexisting problems like high blood pressure or obesity, the risk of preeclampsia increases further. In such cases, the obstetrician and anesthesiologist should take extra precautions. If the FAR level indicates that the woman's symptoms are severe, she may be given an epidural (painrelieving injection) as part of prior pain relief measures. Additionally, regular monitoring of blood pressure and laboratory tests are also suggested to minimize any potential risks.
This research proves that simple blood tests can not only help in understanding the health condition of pregnant women, but can also help in identification and timely treatment of serious problems like preeclampsia. This could prove to be an important ray of hope for pregnant women and their families who are concerned about their health during this special period of motherhood.
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Image Credit: KhasKhabar.