The test can detect changes in the gut biome that are related to pregnancy. This will help us to spot early signs of complications.
New research suggests that early signs of potentially fatal pregnancy complications can be detected by changes in the gut. These changes can then be screened using a quick blood test.
New tests developed by Ningbo University of China have made it possible to identify common conditions like preeclampsia or gestational diabetics, and intrahepatic cholesterol.
The gut biome is affected by pregnancy. Scientists have harnessed this fact for any of these pregnancy complications.
Preeclampsia can affect up to 7 percent of pregnancies, and more than 500,000 foetuses are killed each year. This condition is characterized by high blood pressure.
Gestational diabetes can affect up to 10% of the population and put babies at high risk for type 2 diabetes. There is also an increase in the rate of perinatal deaths due to serious liver disease intrahepatic cholesterol.
According to new research (Simon Dawson/PA), early signs of potentially fatal pregnancy complications can now be detected using a quick blood test.
(PA Wire)
Even though their causes are still not fully understood, early diagnosis is key to preventing them from having long-lasting consequences or even killing the mother and child.
Dr. Rongrong Xuan, the senior author, said: “We analysed and correlated the distribution of short-chain fatty acids during normal pregnancy and during three specific types of complicated pregnancy, gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia, and intrahepatic cholestasis.”
Dr. Xuan explained that short-chain fatty oils being analysed are “metabolic products of the naturally occurring bacteria” and “can be used to identify pregnancy complications.”
“This is the first retrospective study that links short-chain fatty acids to the risks of three types of pregnancy complications.
Preeclampsia can affect as many as 7 percent of all pregnancies. Each year, it kills over 500 000 foetuses.
(Getty Images/iStockphoto)
“It lays a foundation for the prevention of pregnancy-related diseases in the future,” he added.
Scientists discovered that intrahepatic patients with high levels of cholesterol had lower levels for short-chain fatty acids. Hexanoic acids may also be linked to inflammation.
To determine if short-chain fat acids (also known as metabolites), were changing in 112 women, the team examined them.
The cohort was broken into four groups: pregnancies with healthy outcomes; gestational diabetes or preeclampsia-diagnosed; preeclampsia/gestational diabetes; and intrahepatic cholesterolestasis.
Pregnancy can affect the gut biome. Scientists have discovered a way to harness this fact for any pregnancy complications.
(CLAUDIO SANTANA/AFP/GettyImages)
A medical history of each patient was obtained, and blood samples were analysed in order to determine the levels seven short chain fatty acid.
There were strong biomarkers in short-chain fatty acids groups, particularly isobutyric acid, which was found in all three patients with the complications.
Preeclampsia patients with gestational diabetes and pregnant women with high levels of propionic, ovaleric, and acetic acids were both found to have high levels.
Inputting Frontiers of Cellular and Infection Microbiology Researchers suggest that dyslipidaemia, an imbalance in blood lipids, could cause the second and third.
However, intrahepatic-cholestasis patients had lower levels than normal of any short-chain fat acid, except for isobutyric.
Evidently their levels of hexanoic Acids matched their illnesses.
This research should be extended to lifestyle effects, and validated for clinical applications.
