A mid-pregnancy blood test could help predict preterm births

A study, published in JAMA Network Open, suggests that a mid-pregnancy blood test for placental growth factor could help identify high-risk pregnancies earlier, if it is added to prenatal care. 

The study was led by Dr. John Kingdom, maternal-fetal medicine specialist at Mount Sinai Hospital and Rachel Gladstone, fourth year ob-gyn resident at the University of Toronto. 

Research was conducted from 2020 to 2023, and involved a screening of more than 9,000 pregnant patients who intended to give birth at Mount Sinai Hospital. These individuals were tested by their health-care provider between 24 to 28 weeks for PlGF levels (through a blood sample), along with routine screening for gestational diabetes.  

PIGF is a protein produced by the placenta during pregnancy. Research shows that low levels of PlGF are linked to pre-eclampsia, which is a serious complication of pregnancy that is characterized by high blood pressure, and can often lead to preterm birth. 

If widely adopted, this blood test could help predict preventable stillbirth and the risk for developing severe preeclampsia. This would mean improved prenatal care, monitoring, and earlier planning of delivery, in high-risk pregnancies.

This story has been updated and adapted from its original version.