NHS Fife is the first heath board in Scotland to introduce a targeted blood test for pregnant women at increased risk of pre-eclampsia.

The condition is serious and poses considerable risks to the health of both women and their babies.

Approximately 10 per cent of pregnant women show possible signs of pre-eclampsia, such as high blood pressure or increased levels of protein in their urine, with around a third developing the condition.

In May 2024, the Scottish Government tasked health boards with introducing Placental Growth Factor-based Testing (PLGF) to support the confirmation or ruling out of pre-eclampsia.

The PLGF-based testing, recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), is highly effective and can accurately rule out women who will not develop pre-eclampsia in the subsequent seven days.

Dr Helen Russell, consultant in obstetrics and gynaecology at NHS Fife, said: "Pre-eclampsia can be a really serious condition which can present in quite a variable way, which means, at times, it can be harder to diagnose or to rule out.

"The introduction of PLGF-based testing is a significant step forward and will improve the care we can offer to women at increased risk of pre-eclampsia in Fife during their pregnancy."

NHS Fife's participation in a quality improvement project, which saw almost 90 women in Fife undergo this test earlier this year, accelerated the implementation.

The rollout has been supported by international biotech manufacturers, Roche Diagnostics.

Kate Quinney, disease area manager for women's health at Roche Diagnostics UK and Ireland, said: “Using PIGF-based testing for pre-eclampsia not only reduces unnecessary hospital admissions for the condition, but crucially ensures expectant parents are getting the care they need. 

"We’re delighted that expectant parents in Fife will now be able to access this."

Claire Dobson, director of acute services at NHS Fife, added: "We are really delighted that we are now able to offer PLGF-based testing to women at risk of pre-eclampsia.

"We always aim to provide pregnant women in Fife with care that is truly person-centred."