Medical test launched to diagnose hypertension in pregnancy

To reduce the risk of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy, a global diagnostics chain has introduced a medical test for accurate diagnosis and prognosis of 'pre-eclampsia', a major cause of maternal and foetal morbidity and mortality.
SRL Diagnostics has launched the 'PLGF' (Placental Growth Factor) test which will help gynaecologists in diagnosing early pre-eclampsia, a disorder of pregnancy characterised by hypertension and a large amount of protein in the urine.
Pre-eclampsia is suspected in around 10-12 per cent of pregnancies in India. Although the exact cause of this disorder is not known, it is widely accepted that placenta is the source of this condition, which can also affect the mother's kidney, liver and brain.

"Earlier, there was no single test to diagnose or predict the outcome of pre-eclampsia," B R Das, President, Research and Innovation, SRL Diagnostics, said.
The PLGF test is priced at Rs. 2,850.
Pregnancies complicated by hypertension, including pre-eclampsia, are associated with increased risk of adverse foetal, neonatal and maternal health. Other signs and symptoms of pre-eclampsia might include severe headaches, changes in vision, upper abdominal pain, impaired liver function etc.
"Apart from routine antenatal check ups, women should undergo early screening processes to identify placental dysfunction, and if pre-eclampsia is suspected, it may be prudent to start appropriate management as soon as possible," Das, who is also a mentor at SRL's Molecular Pathology and Clinical Research Service, said.