Brittany Barreto, Ph.D., is a podcaster, an entrepreneur and a molecular and human geneticist. (In other words, it is really smart.) Read your column here every month to find out what happens in the world of technology and innovation in the health of women.
Preeklampsia is a serious pregnancy complication that affects 1 of 12 pregnancies in the United States. It is a main cause of death and premature birth of the mother, and it has a disproportionate effect on black women who develop 60% more often and die three times more often from related complications.
Despite these risks, most pre -declampsia remain reactive and is based on symptoms such as high blood pressure or protein in the urine that only occur after the disease has developed. However, a wave of new technologies could make it possible to recognize preeclampsia earlier and help health service providers (HCP) to cope with the risk before the symptoms begin.
Here are five innovations that shape the future of preeclampsia care.
1. Gestasure: Predicting the risk in hospital patients
The Gestasure Test from Thermo Fisher Scientific (also known as SFLT-1/PLGF ratio test) is a diagnostic instrument that is used for pregnant women who were hospitalized between 23 and 35 weeks of pregnancy with high blood pressure. The test measures the mirrors of two proteins produced by the placenta: SFLT-1, which increases with pre-declampsia and PLGF, which decreases.
By analyzing the ratio of these proteins, Gestasure enables the providers to predict whether a patient develops a preeclampsia in the next two weeks. A negative result can support secure unloading from the hospital, while a positive result can lead to more precise surveillance or earlier delivery. And the results are pretty quick. Most hospital laborators can have about 30 minutes.
Although this test contains the FDA permit, it is not yet reimbursed by insurance companies, which means that it is not an option for everyone.
2. Mirvie: Early prediction with RNA analysis
Photo/courtesy of Mirvie
Mirvie has developed a simple blood test called EnCompass, which can predict preeklampsia months before the symptoms. The test uses RNA analysis and artificial intelligence to identify molecular signatures associated with preeclampsia, even in pregnancies without conventional risk factors. In a recently carried out study, in which 9,000 pregnancies of women aged 35 and non -existent diseases were analyzed with high risk, the test identified 91% of pregnancies where premature babies developed.
This proactive approach enables HCPS to start preventive care, e.g.
Like Gestasure, the Mirvie test is approved by the FDA, but has not yet been covered by insurance. Mirvie is working to widen the test in the near future.
3 .. Delfina: Connected care with earlier promise
Delfina is designed, taking into account under -sufficient and risky pregnancies and offers a comprehensive pregnancy care platform that includes networked blood pressure monitors, educational resources and telemedia services. Your connected devices automatically synchronize with the Delfina app and increase the compliance with protocols with distant blood pressure monitoring.
A recently carried out study on Delfina users showed that patients were recorded with more measured values and held more than six times more than six times more often in the surveillance program than in patients with manual devices. While Delfina is not yet widespread, needed even more research and does not support a large organization such as ACOG, the initial data is promising for the treatment of pregnancies with high risk.
4. Baby scripts: long -distance blood pressure monitoring
Photo/politeness of baby scripts
Hyperture is a key sign for preeclampsia. Babyscips offers a digital platform that combines with your doctor and electronic medical records for remote monitoring of blood pressure during pregnancy, including tools that are tailored to the risk of a patient. Patients receive a blood pressure cuff and use the babysitting app to log symptoms, pursue readings and learn important information about pregnancy.
Your HCP is alerted when the measured values are increased or if patients do not check their pressure regularly. Studies show that baby scripts reduce the time to recognize preeclampsia by 13 days, and 93% of the black and white patients used the app to use their blood pressure at home. In fact, compliance with blood pressure monitoring was increased to 85% when using the app, and patients with baby scripts were twice as likely to visit postpartums as non -users.
Baby scripts are clarified by the FDA, which is covered by some insurance plans and supported by the American College of Obstricians and Gynecolicists (ACOG), which makes it more accessible by standard provision.
5. Kalia Health: A new approach at home tests at home
Kalia Health is still working on a test that is based on a urine -based test that recognizes protein that is connected to pre -declampsia with a strip at home, similar to a pregnancy test. This cost -effective, user -friendly test could improve early detection, especially for those in rural or under -sector communities in which it is difficult to get to an HCP.
Protein in urine and hypertension are two trademarks from preeklampsia. Reaching tests at home could be a player for early intervention, especially among those who are after regular visits to pregnancy. However, the test is not yet available and is still being developed clinically.
Obstacles for access remain
While these tools represent exciting progress, many are not yet covered by insurance, which can restrict access. Pregnant people often expect their care to be covered under bundled maternity advantages, and the introduction of new tests or technologies can be associated with costs from their own pocket.
There are also races and socio -economic differences. Black and indigenous women have a higher rate of preeclampsia and maternal death, and it may be less likely that they will be offered or have access to advanced screening technologies. In order to really improve the results, these innovations must be paired with changes in guidelines and reimbursement that ensure fair access for everyone.
Look ahead
From RNA blood tests to urine strips at home, these technologies signal a shift from reactive to proactive pregnancy care. With increasing growth in science and insurance coverage, these tools have the potential to save lives by identifying earlier pregnancies with high risk and enabling families and care teams to take measures earlier.
The information on products and/or services in this column does not make a form of confirmation or recommendation of healthwomen. Links are only provided as convenience and only for information purposes. This column can occasionally cover companies where Brittany Barreto is an investor.
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