Science 360, 1133–1136 (2018)

A noninvasive blood test is able to predict gestational age and preterm birth.

At present, there is a no test that can accurately predict gestational age or that can take preterm birth into account, and incorrect dating can lead to inappropriate induction of birth or Cesarean.

Quake and colleagues developed a noninvasive blood test that is able to predict preterm birth and gestational age on the basis of nine circulating RNA transcripts in a cohort of 38 women at risk of preterm birth.

Before the test can be applied in the clinic, it needs to be further tested in a cohort of diverse women.