Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 13, 2025

Protocol and Guidelines for Point-of-Care Lung Ultrasound in Diagnosing Neonatal Pulmonary Diseases Based on International Expert Consensus

Protocol and Guidelines for Point-of-Care Lung Ultrasound in Diagnosing Neonatal Pulmonary Diseases Based on International Expert Consensus

Published on: March 6, 2019

Similarities and differences in international clinical practice guidelines for preeclampsia diagnosis and

Mónica Chamillard¹, Virginia Díaz¹, Celina Gialdini^1,2

¹Centro Rosarino de Estudios Perinatales (CREP), Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina.

Hypertension in Pregnancy

|July 28, 2025

Insights

Preeclampsia diagnosis varies globally, impacting care. Consensus on criteria, including hypertension, proteinuria, and organ dysfunction, is crucial for consistent clinical practice, research, and global health equity.

Area of Science:

Obstetrics and Gynecology
Maternal-Fetal Medicine
Clinical Practice Guidelines

Background:

Preeclampsia is a major cause of maternal and newborn mortality worldwide.
Diagnostic criteria have evolved from hypertension and proteinuria to include organ and placental dysfunction.
Inconsistent international guidelines hinder standardized and equitable patient care.

Purpose of the Study:

To compare and contrast diagnostic criteria for preeclampsia across current clinical practice guidelines.
To evaluate the evidence base supporting these diagnostic recommendations.
To identify areas of consensus and disagreement in preeclampsia diagnosis.

Main Methods:

Systematic review of clinical practice guidelines (2014-2024) from international organizations.
Searched multiple databases for guidelines and systematic reviews on preeclampsia diagnosis.
Analyzed guidelines for similarities, differences, and supporting evidence.

Main Results:

Fifteen guidelines and 11 supporting systematic reviews were identified.
Hypertension and proteinuria are consistently included, but assessment methods lack uniformity.
Organ dysfunction is included in 8 guidelines, placental dysfunction in 4, with varying definitions and evidence.

Conclusions:

Agreement exists on hypertension and proteinuria for preeclampsia diagnosis, but not on measurement standardization.
Inclusion and assessment of organ and placental dysfunction vary significantly among guidelines.
A unified definition of preeclampsia is essential for clinical practice, research, and global health policy.

Read full analysis

Abstract

Introduction:

Preeclampsia is a leading cause of maternal and newborn deaths. Traditionally characterized by high-blood pressure and proteinuria, organ and placental dysfunction were later proposed in some clinical practice guidelines as additional components for its definition. Variability in diagnostic criteria across international guidelines could be a barrier to harmonized and equitable care in different settings.

Methods:

We reviewed current relevant clinical practice guidelines to identify similarities and differences in recommendations related to the definition and diagnosis of preeclampsia, and their supporting evidence. We also reviewed additional systematic reviews related to the diagnosis of preeclampsia. We searched different databases and websites of international and professional organizations for guidelines published or updated from 2014 to 2024. We searched databases to identify additional systematic reviews on preeclampsia diagnosis.

Results:

Fifteen guidelines from 11 organizations were identified with 11 systematic reviews supporting evidence on the diagnosis of preeclampsia. We found 21 additional systematic reviews, not included in these guidelines.

Discusion:

There is agreement for hypertension and proteinuria for the diagnosis of preeclampsia, without a uniform consensus on methods and devices for their assessment. Organ dysfunction is considered in eight guidelines and placental dysfunction in four, with some disagreements on their usefulness, and the methods and tools for their measurement. Few guidelines support their recommendations on preeclampsia diagnosis with systematic reviews.

Conclusion:

Consensus in preeclampsia definition is needed to guide not only clinical practice but also future research and policy, particularly in global health contexts.

Keywords:

Preeclampsia clinical practice guideline diagnosis evidence-based recommendations

More Related Videos

Author Spotlight: Modeling an Aspect of Preeclampsia in Female Mice Using Hypoxic Human Placenta-Derived Small Extracellular Vesicles

Author Spotlight: Modeling an Aspect of Preeclampsia in Female Mice Using Hypoxic Human Placenta-Derived Small Extracellular Vesicles

Published on: January 26, 2024

International Expert Consensus and Recommendations for Neonatal Pneumothorax Ultrasound Diagnosis and Ultrasound-guided Thoracentesis Procedure

International Expert Consensus and Recommendations for Neonatal Pneumothorax Ultrasound Diagnosis and Ultrasound-guided Thoracentesis Procedure

Published on: March 12, 2020

Related Concept Videos

Hypertension III: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies

Hypertension III: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies

Hypertension is asymptomatic and also referred to as the "silent killer" until it progresses to a severe stage or causes target organ disease. Patients may experience symptoms stemming from the strain on blood vessels and tissues in various organs or the heart's increased workload.Physical exams might show no abnormalities other than high blood pressure. Signs of vascular damage, when present, correspond to the organs supplied by the affected vessels, leading to target organ damage. For...

Pre-Procedural Guidelines for Assessing Blood Pressure

Pre-Procedural Guidelines for Assessing Blood Pressure

Accurate blood pressure assessment is crucial for diagnosing and managing various health conditions. To ensure the reliability of these measurements, healthcare professionals must adhere to standardized pre-procedural guidelines. These guidelines enhance patient safety and improve the overall quality of healthcare. The following steps are essential for obtaining accurate and consistent blood pressure readings, from using the appropriate tools to ensuring effective communication with the...

Peripheral Arterial Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Evaluation

Peripheral Arterial Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Evaluation

Clinical manifestationsPeripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) manifests through a range of symptoms, from the characteristic intermittent claudication to atypical presentations and severe complications in advanced stages. Intermittent claudication, a hallmark symptom of PAD, presents as exercise-induced muscle pain that typically resolves within minutes of rest. This pain is reproducible and stems from inadequate blood flow, leading to the accumulation of lactic acid produced during anaerobic...

Diabetes Mellitus: Type 2 and Gestational

Diabetes Mellitus: Type 2 and Gestational

Type 2 diabetes, characterized by insulin resistance, arises when the insulin receptors on cells lose responsiveness to insulin, diminishing the cell's capacity to take up glucose, resulting in elevated blood glucose levels. To receive a diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes, a series of blood glucose tests are necessary to assess whether the blood glucose falls within normal parameters. If the result is out of the normal range, a patient may be diagnosed as prediabetic or diabetic, depending on the...

Nephrotic Syndrome II : Assessment and Medical Management

Nephrotic Syndrome II : Assessment and Medical Management

IntroductionNephrotic syndrome is a kidney disorder marked by excessive protein loss in the urine, leading to various systemic complications. This condition often results from damage to the glomeruli—the kidney's filtering units—causing proteinuria, low blood protein levels, and fluid retention. Understanding the assessment, diagnosis, and management of nephrotic syndrome is essential for effective treatment and prevention of further kidney damage.AssessmentPatient History: Document...

Special considerations while measuring blood pressure

Special considerations while measuring blood pressure

When assessing blood pressure (BP), healthcare professionals must consider various factors and potential unexpected outcomes to ensure accurate readings and provide proper patient care. Adhering to these guidelines is essential to achieving the most reliable results.
Monitoring Both Arms:
Monitoring BP in both arms during the initial assessment is advisable, as the systolic value may differ by five to ten mm Hg between arms. For subsequent BP assessments, use the arm with the higher reading.

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Health system readiness for immediate Kangaroo Mother Care (iKMC) among network of care facilities in the Sidama region, Ethiopia: a mixed-method study.

Gates open research·2026

Understanding women's knowledge and perceived benefits of vaginal birth and caesarean section: A multi-country survey from the QUALI-DEC project.

Women and birth : journal of the Australian College of Midwives·2026

Integrating immediate Kangaroo Mother Care as an integral part of small and sick newborn care in facilities with level 2 Special Newborn Care Units: Implementation Research Protocol.

Gates open research·2026

Setting research priorities to understand and address the impact of climate change on the health of women and children in low-income and middle-income countries using the Child Health and Nutrition Research Initiative method.

The Lancet. Global health·2026

Implementation of a decision aid to promote shared decision-making on mode of birth in low-risk pregnant women: a cross-sectional study within the QUALI-DEC hybrid trial.

BMJ global health·2026

Well-being of health workers providing maternal and newborn care: A qualitative evidence synthesis.

PLOS global public health·2026

See all related articles