Test to predict miscarriage chances developed

Melbourne, Sept 24 (ANI): A Sydney doctor has developed a test that can predict the chances of a pregnant woman miscarrying from six weeks.

Brainchild of associate Professor George Condous, the test is about 80 per cent accurate.

Working with a team of Sydney University researchers, Condous used data from more than 400 women who visited the early pregnancy unit at Nepean Hospital.

In the study, he used information such as previous caesarean births and miscarriages combined with details from the first ultrasound scan, reports The Daily Telegraph.

In order to come up with the formula, Condous combined them in a mathematical process - comparing variables.

Omni Gynaecological Care Centre director Dr Condous said: "The No. 1 question pregnant women always ask me is what are their chances of miscarriage. At the moment I can't tell them."

By the start of next year, Condous hopes he can use the test on women who present for an ultrasound for the first time.

"There is still a lot of work to be done on this but I believe it can be effective," he said.

"I don't know how women will react to it.

"This would probably be more ideal for a woman who presents for her first visit early in the pregnancy.

"If a woman was deemed to be at risk of miscarriage, we could then see them more regularly for scanning and monitor their progress, rather than leave it six weeks for another scan," he added. (ANI)