In new draft guidance, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) said midwives caring for pregnant women can use one of four blood tests to help diagnose suspected preterm pre-eclampsia.
They can be used from 20 weeks to 36 weeks and six days, with experts hoping they will pick up the six per cent of pregnancies affected by the condition.
The tests measure levels of placental growth factor (PLGF) in the blood. PLGF is a protein that helps the development of new blood vessels in the placenta.
In pre-eclampsia, levels of PLGF can be abnormally low and could be an indicator that the placenta is not developing properly.
Mothers will have ‘increased confidence’ preparing for birth
Jeanette Kusel, the acting director for MedTech and digital at Nice, said: “These tests represent a step-change in the management and treatment of pre-eclampsia.
“New evidence presented to the committee shows that these tests can help successfully diagnose pre-eclampsia, alongside clinical information for decision-making, rather than just rule it out.
“This is extremely valuable to doctors and expectant mothers as now they can have increased confidence in their treatment plans and preparing for a safe birth.”
The four tests recommended in the guidance are: DELFIA Xpress PLGF 1-2-3; DELFIA Xpress sFlt-1/Xpress PLGF1-2-3 ratio; Elecsys immunoassay sFlt-1/PLGF ratio; and Triage PLGF Test.
Tina Prendeville, a midwife for Tommy’s, said “really positive steps” had been made thanks to the “cutting-edge technology”.
“If pre-eclampsia is severe, a baby may need to be delivered before they’re fully developed. Quick and easy testing has the potential to allow for speedy treatment and diagnosis and could reduce the number of preterm babies born who often go on to need specialist care,” she said.
Dr Mark Kroese, the chairman of the Nice diagnostics advisory committee, said: “The committee called for further research when it looked at this topic in 2016.
“Following some excellent research, we can now issue draft guidance for four tests which the NHS can use to help diagnose pre-eclampsia.”
