DefinePK

Abstract

Preeclampsia is a hypertensive condition that affects both the fetus and the mother during pregnancy. It affects 3.8% of the pregnant women worldwide. Raised mean arterial blood pressure, increased blood levels of Placental Growth Factor (PlGF) and Doppler ultrasonography aid in the early diagnosis of preeclampsia.
This review focuses on the use of various biomarkers in the prediction and diagnosis of preeclampsia. The main biomarkers include Placental Growth Factor (PlGF), Pregnancy-associated Plasma Protein 1 (PAPP-A) and soluble Fms-Like Tyrosine Kinase-1 (sFlt1).
PlGF has been shown to serve as a marker of abnormal placentation, with lower levels observed in the first trimester. Studies have found that angiogenic biomarkers, including PlGF, can predict the risk of developing preeclampsia at 20 weeks of gestation. Studies have also found that sFlt-1 (soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1) can be used to predict preeclampsia. Pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A) helps to identify primigravid women at high risk for preterm preeclampsia. It is also valuable in assessing their likelihood of developing other major obstetrical syndromes. Reduced PAPP-A levels during the first trimester have been found to positively correlate with pregnancy - associated complications.
In conclusion, these biomarkers have shown a promising role in predicting and diagnosing preeclampsia, thus providing valuable insights into the disease progression and potential complications.