According to a recent study, early detection of preeclampsia, a dangerous condition during pregnancy characterized by high blood pressure and organ damage, particularly to the liver and kidneys, can significantly improve outcomes for both mothers and their offspring. New studies show that the Foetal Medicine Foundation's (FMF) complete screening method in the first trimester works better than the old clinical factor-based screening method. 

The PREDICTION research found that the FMF's screening model did not meet the American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (ACOG) standards. This model uses biomarkers, ultrasound results, and clinical factors to do a better job. The FMF test found almost two-thirds of cases of preterm preeclampsia, and it cut in half the number of false positives compared to the ACOG model. 

The study's lead author, Dr Emmanuel Bujold from the CHU De Québec-Université Laval Research Centre, said, "We were very happy because now we know that it's working, so women will be able to get the test." 

False results are a major issue with the current screening methods. It can be stressful and expensive to treat someone if a test says they are likely to have preeclampsia when they are not. A London-based expert on preeclampsia named Laura A. Magee said, "Most women don't take the aspirin because they don't trust the screening because the false-positive rate is way too high." 

One part of the FMF model's all-around method is biomarkers, which are biological signs found in blood that can show how likely it is that a woman will develop preeclampsia. 

The PREDICTION project examines data from 7,325 first-time pregnant women. The FMF model correctly identifies 63.1% of women with preeclampsia as having preterm preeclampsia, while the ACOG model only correctly identifies 61.5% of women with preeclampsia. Also, the FMF model correctly finds 15.8% of women who don't have preeclampsia, while the ACOG model only finds 34.3%. FMF has an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.79, while ACOG only has an AUC of 0.64. In general, this means that the FMF model is much more correct.

The FMF screening model could significantly alter the prevention of preeclampsia. Early identification and administration of low-dose aspirin or other treatments to high-risk women reduces the likelihood of preterm preeclampsia.

Magee stressed how important it was to move forward with this better screening method: "We already test women for preeclampsia in practice." "Why don't we use a better screening method?" 

Researchers are now working to make this test process widely available, even in areas with low incomes or that are hard to get to. The goal is to make sure that all women, no matter where they live or how much money they have, can get an early and thorough preeclampsia screening. 

The FMF's all-around method for checking for preeclampsia in the first trimester looks very good. It cuts down on fake results and makes predictions more accurate, which leads to better ways to stop problems. As Dr. Bujold said, the goal now is to use this model to help as many women as possible, which will improve the health of both mothers and babies around the world.