Saliva Test To Detect Pre-Eclampsia

A simple saliva test has been developed to detect early-stage pre-eclampsia in pregnant women.

The new test works by monitoring levels of urate, a salt of uric acid, increased levels of which are thought to be due to impaired kidney excretion in pre-eclampsia. It is simple, cheap, non-invasive, and accurate. Designed to be used at home, the test is expected to be more reliable than traditional blood pressure and urine tests, which are currently conducted in physicians' offices and hospitals. High blood pressure can be caused by a variety of factors other than pre-eclampsia, and even when a woman develops pre-eclampsia, problems with high blood pressure may not occur until the latter stages.

Cath Driscoll reported in the journal Chemistry and Industry that the test is being trialed at St. Richards Hospital (Chichester, UK). Pre-eclampisa is a potentially fatal condition that kills thousands of babies every year. It is also one of leading the causes of maternal mortality. Thought to be the result of problems relating to the implantation of the placenta, the main diagnostic symptoms are raised blood pressure and the excretion of protein in the urine. While there is no cure, other than the delivery of the baby and removal of the faulty placenta, early detection and management of the problem can have a big impact on patient outcome.

The trial will eventually involve 1,000 women. Trial subjects will send away saliva-wiped swabs for analysis. Results are expected early next year. The ultimate aim is to develop a traffic light detection kit for use in the home.


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St. Richards Hospital