• Sweden edition
Science & Technology

New test reveals risks for pregnant women

Published: 7 Apr 10 08:38 CET | Print version
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/25936/20100407/

Swedish researchers have discovered a new way of establishing at an early stage which women run the risk of toxaemia (pre-eclampsia) during pregnancy.

The simple urine test can uncover the risks faced by pregnant women for contracting the condition as early as during week 14 of a pregnancy, the Svenska Dagbladet daily reports.

Researchers at the biomedical centre at Lund University Medical Faculty have identified two substances - foetal haemoglobin and Alpha-1 microglobulin - which can be measured in the blood several months before the first symptoms emerge.

The method has been tested in blind studies on 96 English women with genetic tendencies towards a high risk for toxaemia. The Lund researchers were able to establish with a 90 percent certainty which of the women would suffer from the condition.

The researchers have also developed a possible treatment for the illness.

The Alpha-1 protein, which is used by the body to protect against injury, can also be used to treat the sick women, preliminary tests have shown. When injected into the the placenta all traces of toxaemia were found to have disappeared.

Pregnancy toxaemia or pre-eclampsia is a condition which affects around two percent of pregnant women in Sweden. The condition is accompanied by high blood pressure and protein in the urine and can harm the transfer of nutrients from the placenta to the unborn child, causing stunted growth.

More serious cases can lead to seizures (eclampsia), cerebral haemorrhaging, several other serious conditions and even death, but that is very rare in Sweden due to regular pre-natal checks.

TT/The Local (news@thelocal.se/08 656 6518)

What do you think? Leave your comment below.

Your comments about this article:

The comments below have not been moderated in advance and are not produced by The Local unless clearly stated. Readers are responsible for the content of their own comments. Comments that breach our terms and conditions will be removed.

11:33 April 7, 2010 by JulieLou40
I had pre-eclampsia before my son was born, I wouldn't wish it on anyone. We ended up with an emergency c-section. Nightmare. I'm intending to have another baby once I'm settled in Sweden. Can anyone tell me what tests they do here to check for any chromosome abnormalities? (I am 40 yrs old). I hear there is a more simple test than the old amniocentesis here in the UK, but not sure if they have this test in Sweden. It's apparently a simply blood test.

Anyone?
14:19 April 7, 2010 by LailaC1
You don't have to have the amniocentesis in the UK anymore either - there is a simple blood test you can have but you need to do it before you reach 20 weeks.
15:10 April 7, 2010 by Puffin
I had pre-eclampsia in pregnancy and ended up in intensive care following DD1 so better diagnosis is a good thing

The blood tests such as the triple test don't actually tell you if there is a chromosone abnormality - they give you a risk factor - those who have a high risk factor are offered amnicentesis - although they give a lot of false positives as anything up to one chance in 250 is regarded as 'high risk' whereas 249 will not have an abnormality. I have a relative in the UK who was preganant at 43 who refused an amnio following 'high risk' blood results when she found out her risk factor was around 1:240 whereas the miscarriage risk for the amnio was 1:100

The more modern test that is given in some areas is a nuchal fold ultrasound scan which can be done at around 11-13 weeks and again gives you a risk factor for downs syndrome - however not all health authorities have this test yet
20:26 April 7, 2010 by JulieLou40
Thanks everyone. I will see what happens if I am lucky enough to fall pregnant :-)
06:37 April 8, 2010 by DMatni
I'm not sure how widespread the practice to conduct a nuchal fold ultraosund scan in Sweden is although they do offer it in my area (Örebro). It's called KUB-test here and is usually done at around 13 weeks although I had to book the test myself since it is an optional test which was easily done online. From what I know, this test was introduced quite recently as in the past 2 or so years only so (it wasn't offered to my sis in law who gave birth 3 years ago) it may not be offered in all kommun in Sweden. Good luck, JulieLou!
ADD YOUR COMMENT   (YOU MUST LOG IN OR REGISTER TO MAKE A COMMENT)
Today's headlines
Unrest in Stockholm
Parent patrols help quell Stockholm riots

Parent patrols help quell Stockholm riots

Parents and volunteers have been patrolling the streets of Stockholm's immigrant-heavy suburbs to help quell riots that have raged for almost a week, serving as a successful deterrent to troublemakers and winning praise from police. READ () »

Police hunt man after woman found dead

Police are hunting a 40-year-old man after a woman was found dead in a suburb of Stockholm on Saturday. READ () »

Two cars collide as elk gives birth on road

Two cars collide as elk gives birth on road

Two cars collided on a road between Trollhättan and Vänersborg in western Sweden on Friday afternoon due to an elk having chosen the unusual spot to give birth to a calf. READ () »

Dad slams booze delivery to 10-year-old son

Express delivery firm DHL has been criticised for having handed over a load of alcohol ordered from Germany to a 10-year-old boy in southern Sweden who was home alone at the time. READ () »

Unrest in Stockholm
Stockholm riots spread west on sixth night

Stockholm riots spread west on sixth night

A sixth straight night of unrest blighted several Stockholm suburbs on Friday night, spreading briefly to the city of Örebro, 160 kilometres to the west. READ () »

Unrest in Stockholm
Stockholm's not burning

Stockholm's not burning

With international media swooping on the Stockholm riots from every angle, The Local's Oliver Gee explains why Stockholm is not burning, and how the story has been blown out of proportion. READ () »

Unrest in Stockholm
Stockholm riots: causes and consequences

Stockholm riots: causes and consequences

After five nights of rioting throughout the outskirts of Stockholm, many in Sweden and elsewhere are trying to make sense of it all. The Local spoke to a mix of commentators and local politicians to get their views. READ () »

Swedish firms 'clueless' about foreign graduates

Swedish firms 'clueless' about foreign graduates

As white-collar union Saco slammed Sweden for not helping well-educated foreigners into the labour market, The Local spoke to researcher Josefin Edström about the disconnect between foreign professionals and Swedish employers. READ () »

More Science & Technology

 

Find a new job in Sweden now
24/05 Accounts Payable to Bosch Rexroth
Academic Work Danmark
Malmö
24/05 Analog Field Application Engineer
Arrow EMEA
Kista, STHM
24/05 Business Analyst, Karlskrona
Capgemini Sverige AB
Karlskrona, BLE
24/05 CAE-Engineers within Solid Mechanics
Randstad AB
Linköping or Växjö or Västerås, VTM
24/05 Corporate Sports Sales Executives
marcus evans (Scandinavia) ltd.
Stockholm
24/05 Development Engineer ? Control Systems
Experis Engineering
SKÅ

ALL JOBS »


 

 

Highlights
DoToday
LIFESTYLE »
What's On:The Local's guide to upcoming attractions and events in Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö
www.finest.se
GALLERY »
People-watching May 20-23
Erik Bloom
LIFESTYLE »
Stockholm's ten best-kept secrets - revealed
Fredrik Sanberg/Scanpix (File)
OPINION »
'The future of freedom on the internet is at stake'
Peter Håkansson/Swedish Fashion Council
SOCIETY »
Fashion prize turns Rookies into players
La Neta
LIFESTYLE »
My Swedish Career: We talk to the founder of Stockholm's favourite Mexican restaurant chain - La Neta
Leif R Jansson/Scanpix
NATIONAL »
Riot police 'resorted to racial slurs' in Husby
Scanpix
SPORT »
Sweden win ice hockey world champs at home
Scanpix
SPORT »
Swedes sweep top French football awards
fastighetsbyrån.se
GALLERY »
Property of the Week: Check out this funky three-room apartment on the Stockholm island of Södermalm
Scanpix
GALLERY »
Sweden win Ice Hockey World Championships. See the celebrations in Stockholm
Scanpix
GALLERY »
Youths burn 100 cars in north Stockholm riots
Finest.se scanpix.se
GALLERY »
People-watching: Nightlife, Ice Hockey Gold celebrations, the royal family... You name it, this week's gallery has it
WikiCommons
BUSINESS & MONEY »
Solna voted best place to live in Sweden
Scanpix
TRAVEL »
Quiz - Think You Know Sweden? This week we head to one of Sweden's ten biggest towns. But which one?
Scanpix
LIFESTYLE »
Eurovision host: 'Not everyone has to like me'
Scanpix
LIFESTYLE »
Denmark wins Eurovision 2013 in Malmö
Paul Hansen/World Press Photo
SOCIETY »
Award-winning Swedish photographer cleared of manipulation
Scanpix
NATIONAL »
A Congolese-Swedish pastor explains the roots to recent cases of parents exorcising demons from their children in Sweden
File photo: AP
NATIONAL »
H&M backs Bangladesh building safety accord
Scanpix
GALLERY »
Eurovision: second semi-final entries
Screenshot: American Apparel
SOCIETY »
Swedes slam American Apparel over 'sexist' ads
Hasse Holmberg/Scanpix (File)
BUSINESS & MONEY »
Housing crunch forces more young Swedes to live with mum and dad
Asif Akbar/sxc.hu (File)
OPINION »
'Not all discrimination in Sweden is racism'
Lana Wimmer
GALLERY »
Hidden Stockholm Gems: Ulriksdal's Palace
Sex in Sweden: condoms optional - study
SOCIETY »
Sex in Sweden: condoms optional - study
AP (File)
POLITICS »
Russia 'lacks capacity' to attack Sweden: Reinfeldt
fastighetsbyrån.se
GALLERY »
Property of the Week: This week, we're looking inside a home from the 1700s just west of Stockholm. Complete with two cannons.
Scanpix (File)
OPINION »
JobTalk: Top ten tips for earning a higher salary in Sweden
Eddie Gee
LIFESTYLE »
Check out the back catalogue of all The Local's Swedes of the Week
Photo: The Local
SPONSORED ARTICLE
Stockholm International School - what’s in IT for students?

 

Latest news from The Local in Germany

More news from Germany at thelocal.de

Latest news from The Local in France

More news from France at thelocal.fr

Latest news from The Local in Norway

More news from Norway at thelocal.no

Latest news from The Local in Switzerland

More news from Switzerland at thelocal.ch

Search News


Register

Register now for:
> Free use of noticeboard
> Special discounts
> Weekly news roundup
> Unlimited use of discuss

REGISTER FOR FREE »


Blog Update: Stripes News

21 May 21:34

WEEK 21 »

"A week full to the brim with LFC football…. Div 5 LFC match against Nåjdens FK has been moved. This is due to the Svenska Cupen final: 26 May, 17.00 kick off, Nationalarenan Friends Arena, Solna. Next match is on Tuesday (see below). ………………………………………………………… Friday: Div5 Ladies: Rotebro IS FF – Långholmen FC (Skinnaråsens IP) KO: 16.15 ………………………………………………………… Saturday: Vets: Långholmen FC – IFK..." READ »

Trade binary options
Create an account with Banc De Binary, the world’s most reputable binary options firm, and start cashing in today! You can start by practicing with our free $50,000 demo account.
www.bbinary.com
Therapy in English
Expat counsellor & talk therapist offers counselling for stress, relationship issues, sexuality, culture adjustment & life coaching. Private & confidential. Stockholm or Skype. Contact me today! 08-559 22 636 or
CLICK HERE
Holiday Luxury Villa in Portugal
Casa Birgitta in Algarve, Portugal. Reduced price in best location. Private estate on white sand beach. All amenities included. Book here today! edward_george1@hotmail.com
The Local's new Marketplace
Find products and services that are specifically focused on English speakers living in Sweden!
FULL DETAILS
Counseling in English
Individuals & Couples - Stockholm Beth Rogerson PhD - Clinical, Marriage & Family Therapist
Click or call 08-5580 1266 now