Urine Test Predicts Risk of Pre-eclampsia With 100% Accuracy

A simple urine test during 24 to 28 weeks of pregnancy can accurately predict whether the women is at a risk of pre-eclampsia. Kidney cells called podocytes were found in the urine of the women who were at a risk. The research team at the Mayo clinic studied urine samples of about 300 pregnant women. They found that all the 15 women who developed pre-eclampsia, tested positive for the cells.While these cells were absent in the urine of other healthy women.

There is no treatment for pre-eclampsia. The only treatment is to deliver the baby early with a caesarean section. However, with this new test women at risk can be easily identified. Once identified they can be monitored closely and this will improve their care. The findings were presented at the American Society of Nephrology's annual kidney week in Philadelphia.

Source-Medindia