Proteomic Method To Predict Risks of Pre-term Birth

Filed in archive Diagnostics, Methodologies and Instrumentation , Genomics, Proteomics and Bioinformatics on January 17, 2007

Scientist have developed a new proteomics-based scoring system called "Mass Restricted" (MR) score, based on the concentrations of four protein markers, to determine inflammation in the amniotic fluid, and thus help identify women at risk of preterm delivery.

[snip]... the MR score seemed to be the most accurate in predicting inflammation when compared with other tests for inflammation such as white cell count, and may therefore provide a useful test for recognizing women at risk of preterm delivery and babies at risk of poor outcome. However, although promising, a further evaluation of the test in different populations will be needed before it could become a standard procedure in the clinic.

The paper describing the study above is published at the Public Library of Science-Medicine.