World’s first blood test to check fetus at risk of stillbirth developed

Melbourne – In an attempt to reduce the number of stillbirth, scientists claimed to have developed the world’s first blood test that will aid in monitoring a fetus and determining the chances of stillbirth.

The test, which was developed Mercy Health researchers Clare Whitehead, Stephen Tong and Susan Walker, measures a baby’s oxygen levels inside the womb, and could be more effective than an ultrasound, News.com.au reported.

Whitehead said that if they know how much oxygen the baby is getting they can deliver pregnancies prior to the oxygen levels becoming very low and the baby succumbing to stillbirths.

An international clinical trial is taking place across seven hospitals in Australia and New Zealand.