Washington, D.C. – Preeclampsia, a serious form of high blood pressure that develops during pregnancy, is a leading cause of maternal mortality that often goes undetected until it’s too late to prevent serious damage. Women of color, particularly Black and Native women, are at a higher risk of developing the condition due to existing health issues. Doctors find preeclampsia when it’s already progressed, putting both mothers and babies at risk, often resulting in preterm labor.
To address this issue, an initiative has been announced with the aim of detecting and treating preeclampsia earlier in pregnancy. If successful, this initiative could prevent more women from experiencing preterm labor and its consequences. Treatment can be as simple as prescribing aspirin to reduce or prevent the condition. Researchers hope this initiative will also lead to the development of new treatments.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the number of maternal deaths in 2021 was 1,205, up from 861 in 2020, with Black women dying at more than twice the rate of white women. Additionally, more than 80% of pregnancy-related deaths are preventable. Preeclampsia, and related complications, account for a significant portion of maternal deaths and can also occur postpartum.
Early detection of preeclampsia is crucial, as the condition can result in organ damage and lead to preterm birth. In the U.S., the risk of developing preeclampsia is currently detected through clinical evaluation, with no validated tests available for early detection in pregnancy. Risk factors for developing preeclampsia include a history of the condition in previous pregnancies, chronic hypertension, diabetes, kidney disease, obesity, and older maternal age, with Black women and Indigenous women being at greater risk.
A three-year project has been launched to evaluate data on two biomarkers, placental growth factor (PlGF) and pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A), that can help identify if someone has preeclampsia. These biomarkers, when detected in blood, could help researchers identify patients at higher risk, leading to closer monitoring and early use of aspirin.
Ultimately, the project aims to get the Food and Drug Administration to approve this method of detection for public use, potentially leading to the development of diagnostic testing and better treatments for preeclampsia. Early testing could also pave the way for clinical trials and the development of new treatments for the condition.