One small step for future mothers, a giant contribution to child’s health
2-8% of pregnant women around the world develop pre-eclampsia annually
Learn what you can do to decrease your risk to develop pre-eclampsia
What is pre-eclampsia?
Pre-eclampsia is a pregnancy complication affecting between 2 to 8 out of every 100 pregnant women.
2.5+ million
Pre-term births are caused by pre-eclampsia each year
500,000
Babies die every year due to pre-eclampsia
76,000
Women die every year due to pre-eclampsia
The exact cause of this pregnancy disorder is unknown but its risks are clear: If left untreated pre-eclampsia can cause intrauterine growth-restriction (IUGR) or preterm birth of the child, and in some cases, might lead to maternal and perinatal mortality.
“By screening early in pregnancy, the high risk cases of the more severe forms of pre-eclampsia, early-onset and preterm pre-eclampsia, can be predicted and prevented.”
Conf. Univ. Dr. Anca Panaitescu
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Pre-eclampsia can be prevented. A test performed at 11-13 weeks of pregnancy identifies pregnant women at risk of developing pre-eclampsia later in pregnancy. Specific treatments are recommended to them to significantly reduce the risk of developing pre-eclampsia.
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Preeclampsia is perhaps the most studied complication of pregnancy in terms of associated maternal-fetal complications. Once the disease develops, the only treatment remains childbirth. Such cases often involve the birth of a premature baby with a low birth weight for gestational age. In this context, the most appropriate course of action from all points of view is prevention. Prevention involves early action on cases at increased risk of developing this disease by identifying risk factors such as personal history of pre-eclampsia, multiple pregnancy, chronic hypertension, major hereditary thrombophilia, type 1 or type 2 diabetes, renal disease and autoimmune disease, obesity and extreme age. A unanimously accepted view is that identification and assessment of the accumulation of risk factors for pre-eclampsia is essential in prevention and specific medical management. On the other hand, there are a significant number of cases of pre-eclampsia developed in the absence of a high-risk substrate, cases which unfortunately can still end up being the real tragedies of obstetrics through fetal or maternal death.
Prof. Univ. Dr. Monica Cîrstoiu
Prof. Univ. Dr. Vladareanu Radu
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As President of the Society of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, I encourage all pregnant women, along with the specialists with whom they go through this process, to pay due attention to pre-eclampsia, as it is so important to be able to manage this condition in a timely manner, ensuring the best clinical outcomes for both mother and baby.
Dr. Magdalena Litwińska
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Selecting patients on the basis of a first trimester screening, which must include both biophysical and biochemical factors, i.e. placental growth factor (PlGF), for an appropriate treatment with acetylsalicylic acid leads to a reduction in the incidence of preeclampsia and is an effective and safe procedure.
For all future mothers:
Who should be screened for pre-eclampsia?
Any woman can be at high risk
All women should have access to screening, even if there are no maternal risk factors or history of pre-eclampsia. Being able to predict preterm pre-eclampsia early in the pregnancy is the key to its prevention.
Why should I ask my doctor about preeclampsia screening?
Because I want to take care of my pregnancy
Because I want to prevent any complications via medical treatment and doctor’s guidance
When screening should be done?
When it comes to pre-eclampsia prevention, the earlier high risk for developing the condition is identified, the better outcome for mother and child. A combined screening program recommended at 11-13 weeks' gestation, when steps can still be taken to prevent its onset.
Timing matters more that ever.
Childcare starts from placenta:
Placental growth factor (PlGF) is a dimeric glycoprotein member of the angiogenic vascular endothelial growth factor family. In pregnancy, it is proven that PlGF regulates trophoblast invasion of the maternal spiral arteries. Impaired trophoblast invasion leads to insufficient vascular remodelling of the spiral arteries compared to these that occur in in normal pregnancy. This leads to reduced blood flow of the placenta which is coincidently in adverse pregnancy outcomes including pre-eclampsia (PE) (Cowans et al, 2010).
Normal blood flow of placenta means normal oxygen flow and nutrient supply of the fetus
Very low PlGF concentrations indicate problem in the placenta.
This is why we need to screen with a very sensitive assay that can detect VERY low concentrations of the marker.
PlGF 1-2-3 on Delfia Xpress has been validated as the most sensitive assay from all kits available and was used in the European Clinical Trial ASPRE (Combined Multimarker Screening and Randomized Patient Treatment with Aspirin for Evidence-Based Preeclampsia Prevention)
What includes pre-eclampsia screening?
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1. Record of medical history, height and weight
Certain factors are known to increase the risk of pre-eclampsia, so as part of combined pre-eclampsia screening, so it's important to determine and document any background risks, including previous or family history of pre-eclampsia, ethnicity, chronic hypertension and smoking.
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2. Take Blood Sample for PIGF Test
PerkinElmer's high-sensitivity PIGF 1-2-3." assay can be utilized for the measurement of maternal serum placental growth factor for pre-eclampsia in the first trimester. PerkinElmer's PAPP-A assay has also been validated as an alternative or addition for pre-eclampsia 1st trimester screening. The same blood sample can be used for both pre-eclampsia screening and aneuploidy screening using the same instrument and markers; no additional blood sample is required.
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3. Measure your blood pressure
In the prediction of pre-eclampsia, MAP is a useful marker. For these readings, two measurements are taken from both arms simultaneously using two automated blood pressure monitors.
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4. Measure your Pulsatility Index
Additionally the uterine artery pulsatility index can be measured via transvaginal or transabdominal ultrasound. (Combined pre-eclampsia screening without the pulsatility index is still a good option if access to ultrasound is limited.)
About Us
Preeclampsia matters – is a social initiative with main aim to prevent pre-eclampsia development to future mothers and ensure the healthcare of the pregnancy.
Our work
Spreading valuable knowledge through the doctors
Increasing awareness about pre-eclampsia among pregnant women
Connecting pregnant women with doctors, who know that Preeclampsia matters!
Working in collaboration with laboratories and test manufacturers to ensure availability of necessary tests to every woman
