Hopes for new drug to cure killer in pregnancy

New hope of a cure for one of the most dangerous conditions to affect pregnant women emerged today.

Pre-eclampsia, which causes an increase of damaging superoxides and high blood pressure, is the leading cause of death among expectant mothers and at present there is no treatment.

Those at risk are monitored and when their blood pressure rises too high, the baby has to be delivered early.

There are 40,000 premature births each year and the majority of these are caused by pre-eclampsia. But now scientists believe they have developed a chemical that can bring down blood pressure without harming the mother or baby.

Dr Subahasis Banerjee, who specialises in foetal medicine and IVF, has found that a synthetic antioxidant, similar to natural ones like vitamin E, can mop up the superoxides, improve blood flow and bring down blood pressure. He is testing the antioxidant in mice to ensure it is safe to both mother and foetus. In theory it could be injected into the mother or taken orally as soon as symptoms of pre-eclampsia appear.

Dr Banerjee said: "We are in the early stages of development but the research is very important for pre-eclampsia. The antioxidant relieves high blood pressure by cutting out the superoxides."

Gynaecologist Professor Stewart Campbell said: "Worldwide, preeclampsia is still a major cause of maternal deaths. It is a massive problem.

"What Dr Banerjee is doing is to detect the condition at the very early stages and correct the situation by use of this antioxidant."