Pre-eclampsia linked to herpes virus

Australian researchers have discovered a viral link which they believe may help explain high blood pressure during pregnancy (pre-eclampsia) and pre-term birth.

The cause of high blood pressure in pregnancy has been a puzzle for decades; when it is left untreated, it can lead to uncontrolled epileptic fits of eclampsia with the loss of baby and mother.

The research conducted by the South Australian Cerebral Palsy Research Group, has found a possible link, especially with viruses of the herpes group and pregnancy-induced hypertensive disease (pre-eclampsia) and also with pre-term birth.

The South Australian Cerebral Palsy Research Group is based in the University of Adelaide's School of Paediatrics & Reproductive Health and the Women's and Children's Hospital Microbiology & Infectious Diseases Department.

It seems viral nucleic acid was found in heel-prick blood samples taken from more than 1,300 newborns over a period of ten years and more than 400 were diagnosed with cerebral palsy.

Professor Alastair MacLennan who led the research, says the finding is exciting but more research is needed.

As many as 10% of pregnancies in the developed world in countries such as the UK, the United States and Australia, are threatened by high blood pressure and it is a common cause of maternal death in the third world.

The Adelaide research team which focused on cerebral palsy has already demonstrated a link between viral infection in pregnancy, genetic mutations affecting inflammatory and clotting processes and development of cerebral palsy.

This research was published in the British Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology.