Detecting a woman's risk of having a premature birth could be identified from 18 weeks into her pregnancy through a simple blood test.
Scientists, including researchers from the University of Western Australia, have developed a blood test that identifies gene expressions in a pregnant woman's blood that could lead to a high probability of premature birth.
The test done at 18 weeks pregnant is 86 per cent accurate - the most accurate to date, the scientists say.
The "breakthrough" builds on previous work by the researchers who developed a similar test for women who arrived at hospital with early contractions.
Premature birth is the main cause of death and disability of babies globally and accounts for about eight per cent of births in Australia - that's 26,000 Australian babies born too soon each year.
Aside from infant death, premature birth can also result in lifelong physical ailments from organs not developing properly in the womb.
UWA Associate Professor Craig Pennell from UWA's School of Women's and Infants' Health says the mid-pregnancy test will ultimately reduce preterm births.
"Our new test will enable women at high risk early access to medical care which will reduce the rate of preterm birth.
"In particular, in remote areas, a simple blood test mid-pregnancy can guide which women can remain in their communities and which need to seek early specialist care," Associate Prof. Pennell says.
Further evaluation of the test will be undertaken by the UWA Perinatal Genomics Research Team before it becomes widely available.
