Preeclampsia is a serious condition that affects between two and four percent of singleton pregnancies and between nine and 11 percent of twin pregnancies.
This means a twin pregnancy presents a risk of developing preeclampsia that is approximately two to three times higher than a single-baby pregnancy.
The likelihood of Preeclampsia developing is nine to 10 times more likely at any given gestation when you're carrying twins...
The likelihood of preeclampsia developing is nine to 10 times more likely at any given gestation when you're carrying twins, according to Science Direct.
The increased risk is caused by the larger placental mass that comes with carrying multiples, whether it's one larger placenta that's shared between both babies or two separate placentas because each baby has their own. Either way, there are increased cardiovascular and metabolic demands on the mother's body.
Increased blood volume also plays a role; carrying multiple babies calls for a higher cardiac output and greater blood vessel changes, which makes it more likely for a mother to experience high blood pressure during her pregnancy. Preeclampsia can also cause damage to organs, like the liver or kidneys.
The rate of pregnancies affected by preeclampsia continues to increase globally due to rising maternal age and conditions such as diabetes and hypertension.
Preeclampsia is often diagnosed earlier in a multiple-baby pregnancy and can progress more quickly than it does in a single-baby pregnancy...
Preeclampsia is often diagnosed earlier in a multiple-baby pregnancy and can progress more quickly than it does in a single-baby pregnancy, which is why doctors often recommend a low dose of aspirin starting early in the first trimester of a high-risk pregnancy with multiples, to help lower the risk of developing preeclampsia.
New system makes prenatal screening for preeclampsia more accessible
Despite international guidelines recommending screening, access has historically been limited to high-throughput centralized laboratories.
But Revvity, Inc. is changing that.
The global life sciences and diagnostics company, which is headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts, recently announced the launch of its new maternal and fetal biochemistry testing platform.
The SuperFlex prenatal screening system is a compact, CE-IVDR certified immunoassay instrument designed to bring high-quality screening to small- to mid-sized laboratories and clinics seeking reliable, rapid solutions that fit lower-volume workflows.
Enabling timely decisions for better patient care
Revvity's fully automated benchtop immunoanalyzer uses chemiluminescence technology.
The system was developed with prenatal testing in mind. It supports testing for preeclampsia and could allow users to identify high-risk cases long before dangerous symptoms appear.
With a cartridge-based design, 24 sample positions, and a throughput of up to 60 tests per hour, it can support continuous sample loading. It's able to deliver initial results to clinics or laboratories in as little as 14 minutes.
The prenatal testing platform makes it possible to access the screening doctors recommend by offering:
- Accessible entry: Affordable instrument cost with just one annual maintenance, and no reagent wastage even when sample volumes are low.
- Operational simplicity: A user-friendly design that minimizes training requirements, to be seamlessly integrated with Revvity's LifeCycle software for streamlined risk assessment and LIMS data transfer.
- Flexible throughput: Continuous sample loading delivers results in as little as 14 minutes per test, accommodating both urgent and routine workflows.
"This SuperFlex offering represents a significant addition to our prenatal portfolio," says Anna Godenhjelm, vice-president and general manager of reproductive health at Revvity.
"By removing the financial and operational barriers to in-house prenatal screening," she says, "we are giving more women access to potentially life-saving testing, regardless of where they receive care."
The platform also includes a test menu for both first- and second-trimester biochemical prenatal screening, enabling a versatile, cost-effective, random-access solution well-suited for decentralized testing.
The SuperFlex platform is available in all markets that accept CE-marked instruments. Revvity plans to expand its offering into Asia-Pacific for late 2026.
Were you diagnosed with preeclampsia during your pregnancy? Were you carrying a singleton or multiples? Let us know in the Comments section below or connect with us on Instagram to share your thoughts!
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