CityNews: "Blood Test Identifies Preterm Birth Risk"
CityNews aired an episode in February 2025, "Blood Test Identifies Preterm Birth Risk", that featured ob-gyn researchers Rachel Gladstone and John Kingdom, part of a team who discovered a blood test to determine the likelihood of delivering a baby preterm.
The key indicator is the protein called placental growth factor, or PlGF.
“There’s a substance released by all placenta, healthy or unhealthy placentas, called placental growth factor and PIGF is released in increasing amounts in pregnant people’s bodies and supports the many changes that happen in a pregnant person’s body,” said Gladstone.
A low circulating blood level of PlGF is associated with early preterm birth. The blood test requires no special equipment or expertise.
“The technology already exists, the test is performed as part of Down syndrome screening in early pregnancy so shifting the test to a better time in pregnancy would give everybody the chance to improve their pregnancy outcomes,” said Kingdom.
The team is optimistic the test will be implemented across the country within three to five years.
In addition to Gladstone and Kingdom, the team includes other ob-gyn faculty members: Kelsey McLaughlin, John Snelgrove, Sebastian Hobson, Rory Windrim, and the chair of the department Kellie Murphy.
Read the original ob-gyn news story.
