THE head of midwifery has welcomed news that a test could be available for early detection of pre-eclampsia in just five years.

It was announced yesterday in the Clinical Science Journal that a blood test could be developed. The condition, which leads to the death of approximately 1,000 babies each year in the UK, could be detected as early as the first trimester.

The discovery of a protein in the blood that appears to be linked with pre-eclampsia may be used to save lives by enabling closer monitoring of high-risk pregnancies.

Head midwife Helen Kelso (pictured0 said Health and the Social Services’ multi-discipline team of midwifery, paediatrics and obstetrics supported the advancement of such research.

‘[We] would obviously welcome anything that aids the prevention of deaths of babies,’ she said.  ‘If this test is adopted by the UK Department of Health, then Guernsey would certainly follow suit.’