HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. — There is a new tool that may help detect who is most at risk for preeclampsia.
Preeclampsia is a serious pregnancy complication that can be life-threatening and impacts thousands of women in the U.S. every year.
Labcorp designed the tool to test pregnant patients and determine their risk of developing preeclampsia.
He explained the condition. “Preeclampsia is a condition that affects pregnancies, about 10 percent of them, manifested by high blood pressure in pregnancy,” said Dr. Jose Duncan, Maternal and Fetal Medicine physician at TGH/USF.
We asked about the new tool for detecting risk levels. Dr. Duncan said it is too early to tell if it will make a difference.
“I think it is a little bit premature to know for sure,” Dr. Duncan said.
He said the test does not help diagnose; it only determines who is at risk. He hopes to participate in clinical trials and expand on the research.
Dr. Duncan explained they may use it to help determine how long pregnant patients stay at the hospital.
A Hardee County grandmother is on trial this week for leaving her 7-month-old granddaughter in a hot car where the baby died —the second grandchild to die under Tracey Nix's care. ABC Action News I-Team Reporter Kylie McGivern sat down with Kaila Nix just days ahead of her mother's trial for aggravated manslaughter.
