Method of diagnosis of pregnancy-related complications

Abstract

A method for diagnosing pregnancy-related complications in a pregnant woman is provided. The method includes (a) providing a membrane phospholipid suspension; (b) exposing a first portion of the suspension to standard PP13; (c) exposing a second portion of the suspension to PP13 obtained from the woman; (d) measuring the production of prostaglandins in (b) and (c); and (e) comparing the amounts of prostaglandins produced in (b) and (c), a change in the amount of prostaglandins of (c) as compared to the amount of prostaglandins in (b) indicating the existence of a pregnancy-related complication in the woman.

1 - 35 . (canceled) 
   
   
       36 . A method for diagnosing pregnancy-related complications in a pregnant woman comprising:
 a. providing a membrane phospholipid suspension;   b. exposing a first portion of the suspension to standard PP13;   c. exposing a second portion of the suspension to PP13 obtained from the woman;   d. measuring the production of prostaglandins in (b) and (c); and   e. comparing the amounts of prostaglandins produced in (b) and (c), a change in the amount of prostaglandins of (c) as compared to the amount of prostaglandins in (b) indicating the existence of a pregnancy-related complication in the woman.   
   
   
       37 . The method according to  claim 36 , wherein the prostaglandins are prostacyclin (PCN) and/or thrombaxane (THX). 
   
   
       38 . The method according to  claim 36 , wherein the prostaglandin is PCN and the pregnancy-related complication is preeclampsia, and the amount of PCN found in step 36(c) is significantly lower than found in 36(b). 
   
   
       39 . The method according to  claim 36 , wherein:
 a. a low amount of PCN and a normal amount of THX indicates a condition of mild (type I) IUGR;   b. a low amount of PCN and a low amount of THX indicates a condition of severe (type II) IUGR;   c. a low amount of PCN and a high amount of THX indicates a condition of mild (type I) preeclampsia;   d. a normal amount of PCN and a high amount of THX indicates a condition of severe (type II) preeclampsia;   e. low amounts of PCN and THX indicate a condition of combined IUGR and preeclampsia; and   f. normal amounts of PCN and THX indicate the pregnancy is normal.