Preeclampsia is a pregnancy complication that affects thousands of women worldwide, causing the death of more than 70,000 mothers and 500,000 babies annually. Its prevalence and consequences pose a serious challenge to public health.
A new clinical trial conducted by Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in the US has explored an innovative technique that seeks to eliminate the sFlt-1 protein from maternal blood.
This treatment, which simulates a dialysis process, has managed to prolong pregnancy by an average of 10 days, improving the chances of healthy birth for babies.
Testimony of a mother
Maria Patzwald, one of the participants, attributes the birth of her son Bennet to the interventions of this treatment, which allowed her to give birth at 34 weeks.
“Without this treatment, I think he would have been born earlier and it would have been much more difficult for him to start life,” Patzwald told BBC World.
While awaiting the arrival of her son, she was selected as one of 16 women who would participate in this pioneering trial.
Her experience underscores the importance of these advances in the care of pregnant women.
Safety and Accessibility Considerations
Despite the optimism generated by the preliminary results, experts such as Andrew Shennen, president of the charity Action on Pre-eclampsia and professor of maternal and fetal health at King’s College London, acknowledge that the process is ingenious, but point to the need for larger trials to ensure the safety of the procedure.
Additionally, there is a risk that these techniques will not be available to women in low-resource countries, where mortality from preeclampsia is higher.
The study’s director, Ravi Thadhani, plans to launch a larger trial in the next year and expresses hope that the technology will reach clinics in the next three to five years. Implementing existing technologies could facilitate access to these essential treatments, benefiting more women and babies around the world.
Preeclampsia, a complication to be taken very seriously
Write down the work of the BBC Although scientists don’t know for sure, research suggests that preeclampsia occurs when the placenta forms abnormally, altering blood flow and interfering with the mother’s normal blood pressure adjustment.
High blood pressure can then cause strokes and organ damage. Preeclampsia develops after 20 weeks of pregnancy or shortly after delivery.
Other symptoms include severe headache, vision problems, pain under the ribs, sudden swelling of the face, hands or feet, and heartburn.
Risk factors
The main risk factors for developing preeclampsia include first-time pregnancy, previous or previous history of preeclampsia, chronic hypertension, diabetes, kidney disease, autoimmune diseases, obesity, multiple pregnancy, and advanced maternal age. Having undergone in vitro fertilization treatment may also increase the risk.
Most important factors
- History of preeclampsia in a previous pregnancy.
- First time pregnancy.
- Chronic hypertension.
- Diabetes.
- Kidney disease.
- Autoimmune disorders, such as lupus.
- Obesity.
- Multiple pregnancy, such as twins or triplets.
- Older maternal age, especially from 35 to 40 years.
- Family history of preeclampsia.
What should be monitored
Having one or more of these factors does not mean that preeclampsia will occur, but it does justify a closer prenatal adjustment. If you want, I can also summarize the warning symptoms and when to seek urgent care.
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