Early prediction of preeclampsia

Area of Science:

• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Maternal-Fetal Medicine
• Perinatology

Background:

• Early onset preeclampsia (PE) is a significant cause of maternal and neonatal morbidity.
• Timely screening is crucial for early intervention and improved outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of a first-trimester screening protocol for early onset preeclampsia (PE).

Main Methods:

• Utilized a multimodal screening approach combining maternal risk factors.
• Incorporated uterine artery Doppler ultrasound.
• Measured maternal serum levels of pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) and placental growth factor (PlGF).
• Assessed mean arterial pressure (MAP).

Main Results:

• The combined screening strategy achieved high detection rates for early onset PE.
• Approximately 95% of early onset PE cases were identified.
• The screening protocol demonstrated a 10% false-positive rate.

Conclusions:

• First-trimester screening using a combination of maternal factors, Doppler, MAP, PAPP-A, and PlGF is effective for early onset PE.
• This approach offers a high detection rate with an acceptable false-positive rate, enabling timely clinical management.