First-trimester Prediction of Preeclampsia

Preeclampsia is a complication of pregnancy related to adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes, including fetal growth restriction and perinatal death. Several measures are used or under investigation (low-dose aspirin, low-molecular weight heparin, calcium, folic acid, among others) for the prevention of preeclampsia. Unfortunately, most high-risk women who could benefit from those preventive measures are not identified until late in pregnancy. Recent evidences suggest that the investigators could identify women at risk of developing preeclampsia using a combination of serum and ultrasound biomarkers in the first-trimester of pregnancy. This screening test needs external validation. A first-trimester screening strategy will strengthen clinical research on preeclampsia and will contribute to the development of strategy combining the prediction and prevention of the disease and its related complications.