The “nanoflower sensor”—which works by screening blood samples for cell biomarkers—could help reduce neonatal hospital admissions and save the health care system millions each year. The study is published in the journal Science Advances.

Professor Carlos Salomon Gallo from UQ’s Center for Clinical Research said the sensor was able to detect health complications that usually aren’t picked up until the second or third trimesters.

“During our study we collected blood samples from 201 pregnant women at 11–13 weeks gestation and we detected possible complications, such as preterm birth, gestational diabetes and preeclampsia, which is high blood pressure during pregnancy,” Professor Salomon Gallo said.