Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

A new test that predicts with almost 100 per cent accuracy that a pregnant woman will not develop pre-eclampsia within the following seven days has been given the green light to be used as standard clinical practice in one of the UK’s biggest acute hospital trusts.

Photograph of pregnant woman and doctor taking her blood pressure

Image courtesy of Shutterstock

The blood test, conducted by Oxford University Hospitals (OUH) NHS Foundation Trust at its John Radcliffe Hospital, measures the ratio of two placental factors - maternal serum soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase (sFlt-1) and placental growth factor (PlGF) - that are released into the mother’s blood.

The test was developed by Roche Diagnostics, who have funded a trial conducted at the Women’s Centre at the John Radcliffe Hospital.

Find out more (Department of Women's and Reproductive Health website)