Placental Growth Factor Diagnostic Testing: An Opportunity to Transform Pregnancy Care for Patients With Suspected

Kelsey McLaughlin1, Melanie C Audette2, Harrison Banner3

  • 1Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Sinai Health System, Toronto, ON; Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON.

Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Canada : JOGC = Journal D'Obstetrique Et Gynecologie Du Canada : JOGC
|August 16, 2025
PubMed

Preeclampsia is a leading cause of maternal morbidity and adverse perinatal outcomes in Canada. Growing evidence supports the novel blood-based biomarker placental growth factor (PlGF) as a diagnostic test to accelerate the timely diagnosis of preeclampsia, enhancing care for hypertensive pregnant patients. Despite national endorsement, challenges like regional disparities and test standardization hinder PlGF implementation. The Canadian PlGF Strategy & Research Consortium convened with representation from clinicians, researchers, and patient partners to discuss the current state of PlGF testing. We universally agreed there is an urgent need to implement diagnostic PlGF testing to improve maternal and perinatal outcomes in Canada.

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