Pre-eclampsia Screening
Pre-eclampsia screening is an assessment performed during pregnancy to identify women who may have an increased chance of developing pre-eclampsia, particularly preterm pre-eclampsia. First-trimester screening can combine maternal characteristics and medical history with blood pressure measurement, uterine artery Doppler and a placental biomarker such as PlGF. This assessment helps identify pregnancies that may benefit from closer monitoring and preventive management.
Blood Pressure Assessment
Uterine Artery Doppler
Pre-eclampsia Screening
Maternal Medical History
Maternal Blood Pressure
Uterine Artery Doppler
Placental Function
Mean Arterial Pressure
Maternal Risk Factors
Risk of Preterm Pre-eclampsia
Fetal Growth Risk
Placental Blood Flow
Individualized Risk Assessment
When Is It Recommended?
Pre-eclampsia screening can be performed during the first trimester, commonly between 11 and 14 weeks of pregnancy. The first-trimester combined approach is particularly useful for assessing the risk of preterm pre-eclampsia.
- It may be offered during the first-trimester ultrasound assessment.
- It combines maternal history, blood pressure, uterine artery Doppler and an appropriate placental biomarker when available.
- It can help identify women who may benefit from increased antenatal surveillance.
- It may help clinicians consider preventive strategies for women identified as being at increased risk.
- Additional monitoring may include blood pressure checks, fetal growth assessment and Doppler studies when clinically indicated.
- Your doctor or fetal medicine specialist will determine the appropriate screening and follow-up plan for your pregnancy.
Important Information
Pre-eclampsia screening is a risk-assessment test, not a diagnostic test. A higher-risk screening result does not mean that pre-eclampsia will definitely develop, while a lower-risk result cannot completely exclude the possibility of developing the condit
- Screening is particularly useful for assessing the risk of preterm pre-eclampsia.
- Many women who receive a higher-risk screening result will not develop pre-eclampsia.
- Screening results should be interpreted together with the mother's medical history and ongoing pregnancy assessments.
- A normal screening result does not guarantee that pre-eclampsia will not develop later in pregnancy.
- Women identified as being at increased risk may require closer monitoring and may be advised about preventive treatment by their doctor.
- Do not start or stop aspirin or any other medication based solely on a screening result; preventive treatment should be prescribed and monitored by your healthcare professional.