Modern women find it increasingly challenging to conceive a child in unhealthy conditions and have a healthy pregnancy due to a variety of lifestyle and environmental issues. In recent years, severe pregnancy complications have been linked to a variety of physical and mental illnesses.
Preeclampsia in pregnancy is one such complication that affects women across the globe. It is a dangerous blood pressure disorder that usually develops during the 20th week of pregnancy or after giving birth (called postpartum preeclampsia).
It occurs when a woman has high blood pressure during pregnancy and symptoms that one or more organs, such as her liver and kidneys, may not be functioning properly.
In this condition, blood pressure is elevated (more than 140/90 mmHg), and kidney dysfunction is indicated by high levels of protein in the urine. The heart and other organs are put under strain by preeclampsia, which can also result in significant consequences.
Additionally, the condition may impact the placenta's blood flow, harm the liver and kidneys, or result in fluid accumulation in the lungs.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), preeclampsia and related hypertension disorders account for 14% of maternal fatalities worldwide each year, second only to hemorrhage, and the cost of care in the first year after delivery is close to $2 billion.
Causes of Preeclampsia
Preeclampsia probably has several causes of occurrence, some of which are unknown. Experts think the placenta, which feeds the fetus during pregnancy, is where it starts.
New blood arteries develop and alter early in pregnancy to nourish and oxygenate the placenta. In preeclampsia patients, these blood vessels don't seem to develop or work normally.
Therefore, if the placenta's ability to circulate blood is compromised, the mother's blood pressure may not be effectively managed.
Additionally, experts have recognized a few risk factors for developing preeclampsia in pregnancy mentioned as follows:
• Genetic influences
• Issues with blood vessels
• Pre-existing autoimmune conditions
• Being pregnant several times, such as with twins or triplets
• Pregnancy at the age of 40 or older
• Having preeclampsia in one's family
• Being overweight
• Having a history of illnesses such as sickle cell disease, lupus, diabetes, high blood pressure, and kidney disease
• Utilizing in-vitro fertilization procedures to get pregnant
Symptoms of Preeclampsia in Pregnancy
High blood pressure, proteinuria, or other indications of organ or kidney damage are the characteristics that distinguish preeclampsia from other conditions. There's a chance that the patient might not show any symptoms at all. However, during routine prenatal appointments with a healthcare professional, preeclampsia's early symptoms are frequently found.
Figure 1 Symptoms of preeclampsia
Preeclampsia signs and symptoms, in addition to elevated blood pressure, may include:
• Proteinuria, or an excessive amount of protein in the urine, or other kidney issues
• Decreased blood platelet levels (thrombocytopenia)
• Hepatic issues indicated by increased liver enzyme levels
• Severe headaches
• Vision changes, such as temporary blindness, hazy vision, or light sensitivity
• Breathlessness brought on by pulmonary fluid
• Upper abdominal discomfort, commonly on the right side under the ribs
• Nausea or diarrhea
Early Detection using Cell-Free RNA Extraction Technology
Currently, preeclampsia cannot be treated before the baby is delivered. Therefore, early diagnosis of preeclampsia is essential to manage and treat the condition.
If not diagnosed at the right time, the danger of stroke, serious hemorrhage, placenta detachment from the uterus, and convulsions increases until the blood pressure of the pregnant individual falls.
Due to the advancements in genomic medicines and diagnostic research, technologies such as cell-free ribonucleic acid (cfRNA) extraction enable efficient diagnosis.
cfRNA naturally occurs in the cell-free fluid. It offers a chance to identify malignancies in patients who shed their tumors less frequently. As a result, the idea of using cfRNA as a potential biomarker for cancer-related mutations, prenatal screening, and metabolic diseases has been floated.
The cell-free RNA isolation method works well to separate the cfRNA from bodily fluids like plasma and serum and build a library for polymerase chain reaction or next-generation sequencing. To provide precision medicine to cancer patients, cell-free RNA has become more and more popular as a biomarker for liquid biopsy.
Hence, the use of cfRNA as diagnostic biomarkers for several diseases, including cancer-related mutations, prenatal screening for preeclampsia, and metabolic abnormalities, has gained more popularity among healthcare professionals.
Moreover, driven by an increasing number of kits and a rising number of open-source free sequencing platform providers offering cell-free RNA analysis, the cell-free RNA isolation and extraction kits market is expected to grow significantly.
According to the BIS Research report, the global cell-free RNA isolation and extraction kits market is projected to reach $140.7 million by 2032 from $30.2 million in 2021, growing at a CAGR of 14.98% during the forecast period 2022-2032.
Figure 2 Cell-free RNA market growth
Find more details on this report in this FREE sample
Conclusion
Preeclampsia is a pregnancy complication that can cause severe harm to the mother and child if not diagnosed at the right time. Although preeclampsia cannot totally be avoided, regular prenatal visits to the doctor could help with its early detection. Pregnant women should discuss their risk of developing preeclampsia and its warning signals with a healthcare provider.
