SCIENCE

Early Detection Breakthrough: Australian scientists developed a "nanoflower sensor" blood test to detect pregnancy complications like gestational diabetes and preterm birth as early as 11 weeks.

By Aniket Chakraborty

Feb 28, 2025

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High Accuracy: The test has over 90% accuracy in identifying risks, offering earlier intervention opportunities compared to current methods.

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Placental Health Focus: The test measures biomarkers from placental extracellular vesicles, providing insights into placental health and potential complications.

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Cost-Saving Potential: Early detection could save millions by reducing neonatal ICU admissions and emergency interventions like cesarean sections.

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Current Limitations: Most complications are detected in the second or third trimester, often too late for effective intervention.

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Clinical Trials Ahead: The next steps involve a clinical trial with 2,000 women to validate the test, aiming for availability in 3–5 years.

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Pathway to Accessibility: The goal is to create a point-of-care device, but initial testing could be done through pathology labs for quicker implementation.

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Impact on Healthcare: The test could revolutionise obstetric care by enabling earlier risk assessment and personalised interventions.

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Common Complications: The test targets conditions like gestational diabetes (18% of pregnancies) and preeclampsia (5–8% of pregnancies).

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Future Vision: Researchers aim to make the test as accessible as glucose monitoring, improving outcomes for mothers and babies globally.

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