Researchers from University of Alberta divulged that they have unearthed a precise method, which can predict if an expectant mother can contract pre-eclampsia.

Pre-eclampsia is a precarious condition, which can take a toll on both the mother and the baby. The patient can experience high blood pressure and high levels of protein in urine.

Investigators from U of A's faculty of medicine and dentistry, said that they have uncovered a "metabolic fingerprint" in the blood, which can identify detect 90% of the women, who might contract this condition.

Dr. Philip Baker, the University of Alberta's Dean of the faculty of medicine and dentistry and a practising obstetrician at the Royal Alexandra Hospital, said that pre-eclampsia is of the largest problem for him as an obstetrician.

Pre-eclampsia that was once called toxemia, impinges on around 3% of expectant Canadians and is one of the chief causes of maternal mortality.

Baker who is the senior author of the study said, "We understand the process now. What we've really lacked is a way of predicting who is going to get the condition".

The findings of the study appeared in the American Heart Association journal Hypertension, on Monday.

It is reported that every year, between 80,000 to 100,000 deaths take place all over the world. And about 10% of pregnant women in sub-Saharan Africa get affected with the problem.