A new blood test could predict the chance of miscarriage, premature birth and pre-eclampsia in pregnant women, according to findings presented to a reproductive health conference earlier this week.
In fact, women could find out if they are likely to miscarry as early as one week into pregnancy, helping doctors to act faster and hopefully save the heartache of losing a much-wanted child.
US scientists from the Laboratory for Reproductive Medicine and Immunology in San Francisco looked at 160 pregnancies. Of these, 101 had no complications, but 59 were affected by miscarriage, premature birth and pre-eclampsia - a potentially fatal condition for the mother.
The researchers discovered molecules in the blood of pregnant women that can predict these complications with up to 98 per cent accuracy.
Academics called for further research but said the results were very promising. Image: iStock
Instead of looking at the blood in the placenta, which scientists have typically done previously, this team looked at the blood in the placental bed - that is, the lining of the wall of the uterus.
For miscarriage and premature birth, the molecules predicted an outcome with accuracy rates between 90 and 98 per cent. For pre-eclampsia, an outcome was predicted with 82 per cent accuracy.
The research was presented at the American Association of Reproductive Medicine annual congress in Texas.
According to The Sun, Thomas Price, president of the Society for Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility said the study was "very exciting", while the Daily Mail reported that "Tim Child, associate professor of obstetrics and gynaecology at Oxford University, called for more research, saying the numbers in the study were 'quite small' and it is 'not at the stage yet where you could start to us it as a clinical tool'."
"The statistical relationship is very, very strong – surprisingly strong, to be honest. It's certainly very promising," he added.