First in Israel: New Blood Test Can Assess Preterm Birth Risk as Early as Mid-Pregnancy

A new blood test called preTRM, the first of its kind in Israel, can assess the risk of preterm birth as early as weeks 18-20 of pregnancy, before any warning signs appear. In the PRIME study, there was a 53% reduction in births before 32 weeks. The test is currently offered privately at Ichilov.

A new blood test called preTRM, the first of its kind in Israel, can assess the risk of preterm birth as early as mid-pregnancy, between weeks 18 and 20, before warning signs appear. The test, intended for women with a single-fetus pregnancy, measures the ratio of two proteins and combines a dedicated algorithm to provide a personalized risk assessment. It is not a diagnosis but a risk-assessment tool that gives the doctor additional information for ongoing monitoring and treatment. The test has been evaluated in international studies, and in the PRIME study there was a 53% reduction in births before 32 weeks, a 35% reduction in births before 35 weeks, and a 22% reduction in NICU admissions. Currently, it is offered privately at Ichilov Medical Center, and Sharap Diagnostics, which holds distribution rights, is promoting collaborations with additional medical centers and with Clalit Health Services. Dr. Asaf Gertler, CEO of the company, emphasizes the paradigm shift and the potential to save hundreds of millions of shekels annually. Prof. Simcha Yagel, former director of the Women's and Obstetrics Division at Hadassah, adds that this is a tool that integrates into the full range of clinical considerations.