New First-Trimester Blood Test Offers Promise in Early Detection of Preeclampsia

New Haven, Connecticut United States of America
A new first-trimester blood test can identify the risk of preeclampsia with up to 90% sensitivity and specificity.
Preeclampsia affects about 1 in 25 US pregnancies, resulting in more than 70,000 maternal deaths and half a million fetal deaths worldwide each year.
Preeclampsia poses a greater risk for older women, first-time mothers, those with obesity or a family history of the condition. Other factors that may increase the risk include diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney disease or an autoimmune disease.
Regular check-ups and monitoring of symptoms remain essential for ensuring a healthy pregnancy.
The new blood test can be used between 11 and 14 weeks of gestation for earlier intervention.
New First-Trimester Blood Test Offers Promise in Early Detection of Preeclampsia

A new development in prenatal care is making waves in the medical community: a blood test that can identify the risk of preeclampsia during a pregnant woman's first trimester. This life-threatening complication, which can lead to high blood pressure, seizures, stroke, and pre-term birth among other complications, usually develops after 20 weeks of pregnancy. However, thanks to recent advancements in screening techniques and tests by Labcorp and other healthcare providers,
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), preeclampsia affects about 1 in 25 US pregnancies, resulting in more than 70,000 maternal deaths and half a million fetal deaths worldwide each year. Early detection of this condition is crucial for ensuring the best possible outcomes for both mothers and their babies.

The new blood test measures the risk of preeclampsia with up to 90% sensitivity and specificity, making it an invaluable tool for healthcare providers during prenatal care. This test can be used between 11 and 14 weeks of gestation, allowing for earlier intervention if necessary.

Preeclampsia poses a greater risk for certain populations, including older women (those over 35), first-time mothers, those with obesity or a family history of the condition. Other factors that may increase the risk include diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney disease or an autoimmune disease.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) has not yet changed its clinical guidance on preeclampsia based on this new test. However, some healthcare providers believe it could eliminate surprise cases of preeclampsia and reduce racial disparities in maternal health outcomes if implemented correctly.

It is important to note that while this new blood test offers promising results, it should not be the sole determining factor for diagnosing or ruling out preeclampsia. A comprehensive prenatal care plan, including regular check-ups and monitoring of symptoms, remains essential for ensuring a healthy pregnancy.


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Confidence

90%

Doubts
  • Are there any potential false positives or false negatives with this test?
  • Is the sensitivity and specificity of the test consistently at 90% across all populations?

Sources

98%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Screening identifies preeclampsia cases more accurately, researchers say

The Fixing Site: A Summary of the Article. Erin Blakemore Saturday, 18 May 2024 10:30
  • Unique Points
    • A personalized screening technique predicts preeclampsia more accurately than current guidelines.
    • Preeclampsia develops in about 1 in 25 U.S. pregnancies.
    • According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, preeclampsia accounts for more than 70,000 maternal deaths and 500,000 fetal deaths each year worldwide.
  • Accuracy
    • Preeclampsia typically develops after 20 weeks of pregnancy.
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

93%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

New screening tool can identify preeclampsia risk sooner, test maker says

CNN News Site: In-Depth Reporting and Analysis with Some Financial Conflicts and Sensational Language Jacqueline Howard Wednesday, 15 May 2024 10:00
  • Unique Points
    • A new blood test can be performed in a pregnant person’s first trimester to help assess their risk of developing preeclampsia.
    • The test is the first and only one available in the US that can be used between 11 and 14 weeks gestation.
    • Some factors that can put a pregnant person at risk include being older than 35, pregnant for the first time, having obesity, family history of preeclampsia, diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney disease or an autoimmune disease.
  • Accuracy
    No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
  • Deception (80%)
    The author makes no editorializing or pontification in the article. She reports facts about a new blood test for preeclampsia and quotes statements from Dr. Christopher Zahn of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) regarding the usefulness and appropriateness of the test. However, there is selective reporting as she only reports details that support the availability and potential benefits of the new test without mentioning ACOG's concerns about its accuracy or lack of evidence-based interventions to prevent or reduce preeclampsia risk based on test results.
    • It’s the first and only test of its kind available in the United States that can be used between 11 and 14 weeks gestation to determine the risk of preeclampsia before 34 weeks of pregnancy, its maker, Labcorp, announced Wednesday.
    • However, it is currently unclear how useful the LabCorp test will be in accurately predicting risk for developing preeclampsia and whether it is appropriate for all pregnant patients.
    • There is no cure for preeclampsia, outside of the mother delivering the baby, but some severe cases can be treated with medications like antihypertensive drugs.
  • Fallacies (85%)
    The article reports on a new blood test for preeclampsia risk in the first trimester without providing evidence-based interventions to prevent or reduce the impact of the disease. It includes an appeal to authority from ACOG questioning the usefulness of the test and its applicability to all pregnant patients. Additionally, there is a dichotomous depiction by stating preeclampsia typically develops after 20 weeks of pregnancy while this new test is for early detection in the first trimester.
    • It's the first and only test of its kind available in the United States that can be used between 11 and 14 weeks gestation to determine the risk of preeclampsia before 34 weeks of pregnancy, its maker, Labcorp, announced Wednesday.
    • Before a screening test can be successfully employed, there needs to be an evidence-based intervention to either prevent or reduce the impact of the disease. We currently have no data on how to reduce the risk for a pregnant patient predicted to have preeclampsia from a blood test early in pregnancy as opposed to clinical factors.
    • The condition typically develops after 20 weeks of pregnancy – in the second trimester – and if left untreated, it can turn serious or deadly for both mother and baby.
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

100%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

New screening can identify preeclampsia risk sooner in pregnancy

Bronx News 12 Saturday, 18 May 2024 14:34
  • Unique Points
    • A new screening tool can identify preeclampsia risk during a pregnant woman's first trimester.
    • Labcorp has developed a test to determine if someone has a high risk of developing preeclampsia.
  • Accuracy
    No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

98%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Blood test could detect preeclampsia in first trimester, LabCorp reports

United Press International (UPI) Wednesday, 15 May 2024 14:53
  • Unique Points
    • LabCorp has launched a new blood test that can determine the risk of preeclampsia in the first trimester of pregnancy.
    • Preeclampsia Foundation CEO Eleni Tsigas believes the test could eliminate surprise cases of preeclampsia and reduce racial disparities in maternal health outcomes if implemented correctly.
  • Accuracy
    • ]A new blood test can be performed in a pregnant person's first trimester to help assess their risk of developing preeclampsia.[
    • Preeclampsia typically develops after 20 weeks of pregnancy.
    • There is no cure for preeclampsia outside of delivering the baby.
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

91%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

New blood test could help spot preeclampsia in first trimester

MedicalXpress Robin Foster Saturday, 18 May 2024 14:36
  • Unique Points
    • A new blood test can help predict a woman’s risk for preeclampsia in the first trimester of pregnancy.
    • The test is the first in the US that can be used between 11 and 14 weeks gestation to determine preeclampsia risk before 34 weeks.
    • Preeclampsia poses a greater risk for Black women, who experience the condition at a higher rate than white women.
    • The test measures four biomarkers associated with preeclampsia risk and has up to 90% sensitivity and specificity.
  • Accuracy
    No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
  • Deception (70%)
    The article reports on a new blood test that can help predict the risk of preeclampsia in the first trimester. While there is no deception in the reporting of facts, there are instances of selective reporting and emotional manipulation. The article quotes doctors expressing doubts about the usefulness and appropriateness of the test, but these quotes are not given equal weight to Labcorp's claims about the test's accuracy and potential benefits. Additionally, statements like 'It's the first test in the United States that can be used between 11 and 14 weeks gestation to determine the risk of preeclampsia before 34 weeks of pregnancy' are emotionally manipulative as they create a sense of urgency and importance around the test. The article also mentions that Black women are at a higher risk for preeclampsia, which is factual but could be seen as an attempt to elicit an emotional response from readers.
    • Roughly one in 25 U.S. pregnancies is affected by preeclampsia, which poses an even greater risk for Black women, who experience the condition at a 60% higher rate than white women do.
    • It's the first test in the United States that can be used between 11 and 14 weeks gestation to determine the risk of preeclampsia before 34 weeks of pregnancy
    • By giving health care providers another tool to assess preeclampsia risk in their pregnant patients with objective biomarkers, we're helping to advance prenatal care and improve outcomes for mothers and their babies.
  • Fallacies (85%)
    The article contains several instances of appeals to authority and uncertainty. The author quotes Dr. Christopher Zahn and Dr. Christian Pettker expressing doubts about the usefulness and appropriateness of the new blood test for predicting preeclampsia risk in pregnant women.
    • It is currently unclear how useful the Labcorp test will be in accurately predicting risk for developing preeclampsia and whether it is appropriate for all pregnant patients.
    • Before a screening test can be successfully employed, there needs to be an evidence-based intervention to either prevent or reduce the impact of the disease. We currently have no data on how to reduce the risk for a pregnant patient predicted to have preeclampsia from a blood test early in pregnancy as opposed to clinical factors.
    • It is not clear that it helps more than it could possibly hurt. It is not clear that the use of this test is any better than the current standards for prenatal care.
    • Perhaps the most applicable group could be for patients who had preeclampsia in a prior pregnancy, though these patients already have a high risk and are often followed differently in their pregnancy.
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication