Groundbreaking study shows that a simple, rapid PlGF test can accurately risk stratify pregnant women with suspected pre-eclampsia(1)

Groundbreaking study shows that a simple, rapid PlGF test can accurately risk stratify pregnant women with suspected pre-eclampsia(1) PR Newswire ROME, Oct. 8, 2012 ROME, Oct. 8, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Alere Inc. (NYSE: ALR) is pleased to announce the results of a study, presented today at the 20th FIGO World Congress of Obstetrics and Gynecology, which demonstrate that a simple blood test measuring placental growth factor (PlGF) can help to quantify risk in women when pre-eclampsia is first suspected. The level of PlGF in blood is already known to be an important marker for placental and foetal wellbeing as well as the placenta's ability to sustain the pregnancy.(2) This UK-based, multi-centre study known as PELICAN used the Alere Triage® PLGF test to measure PlGF levels in 625 women with suspected pre-eclampsia in their first clinic visit. In women presenting before 35 weeks gestation who were managed in accordance with standard clinical protocols, a high PlGF level was strongly correlated with low risk for required delivery in the next 14 days. In fact, 96% of women with a normal test result were correctly diagnosed as not at risk.(1) Conversely, a low PlGF level accurately identified women at high risk for preterm delivery, and 94% of women with an abnormal test result went on to require early delivery.(1) Professor of Obstetric Medicine at the University of Oxford and PELICAN investigator, Christopher Redman commented, "Pre-eclampsia is notoriously unpredictable.