A team led by a Danish gynecologist has shown that a simple blood test could help to spot and eventually prevent miscarriage.
They affect one in ten women during their lifetime, often more so in countries where the reproductive age is increasingly delayed.
Based near Copenhagen, Henriette Svaare Nielsen and her team published some studies in the scientific journal The Lancet that make it possible to establish whether a spontaneous abortion is caused by a chromosomal abnormality.
Contrary to what was accepted until now, the test can be done as early as the fifth week of pregnancy.
“If there is a miscarriage, we can take a blood sample from the mother to know the genetic characteristics of the fetus,” Svarre Nielsen told AFP.
Until now, a similar test in Denmark was only performed after three consecutive miscarriages, and if the pregnancy had reached 10 weeks or more.
Now, in Hvidovre, the test is offered to all women who suffer a miscarriage and go to the emergency room. More than 75% accept.
“It helps to understand,” said one of them, who asked to remain anonymous because she would not discuss what happened to her.
Isolated and sequenced after blood collection, the DNA of the embryo or fetus is analyzed to determine whether it possesses a major chromosomal abnormality and is therefore not viable. In 50-60% of cases the answer is positive.
the doctor’ll see if [los números de] Some chromosomes are more problematic than others. This will allow them to determine a possible risk in the future,” explained laboratory technician Lene Verge.
If there are no chromosomal abnormalities, the doctor begins a thorough examination. Hormonal imbalance, endocrine diseases, coagulation problems or lifestyle can explain the premature termination of pregnancy.
Doctors must determine the risks and propose treatment.
– Feel the pain –
The project, started in 2020 and called COPL, is still ongoing and seeks to create a unique database, bringing together the various malformations, thanks to the largest number of women ever diagnosed. gives.
“We will have a reliable database to accurately answer questions about spontaneous abortion, fertility, but also women’s health in general,” explained the university professor.
A doctor for more than 20 years, she seeks to develop the practices of health care workers.
“Spontaneous abortions are very common. They represent 25% of pregnancies. But despite being so frequent, for many years a pregnant woman’s uterus was emptied only after pregnancy loss” regardless of the mechanisms that caused it. Whether this happened or the effect on the mental health of the couples, he lamented.
Before having two children, Rikke Hemmingsen had three miscarriages. Today she supports the project that “gives her hope that fewer women have to experience what we experienced.”
“It makes sense all the pain and sadness that each pregnancy loss represents,” she stresses.
Abortion, a tragedy that often occurs in private, is rarely mentioned in public, and when the topic is discussed, the responses often leave something to be desired.
Hemingson said, “Just because everyone says ‘it’s normal’ doesn’t make it any less hurtful to the person it’s happening to.
This prohibition can hinder access to appropriate treatment.
The 39-year-old journalist said, “We need to start talking more openly about abortion. If not, how can we let people know that there are experts in this country who can help?”
According to Svarre Nielsen, the results of the study could help prevent 5% of the 30 million annual abortions in the world.
