Pregnancy is a time of excitement and change. But it can also be a time of concern and stress. One of the things that can cause stress during pregnancy is preeclampsia.
Preeclampsia is a serious complication that can occur during pregnancy. It is marked by high blood pressure and proteins in the urine. If not treated, it can lead to serious problems for both the mother and baby.
There is no one single cause of preeclampsia. However, there are some risk factors that can increase a woman’s chance of developing the condition. These include:
• Being pregnant for the first time
• Having a history of preeclampsia
• Having diabetes
• Being age 35 or older
• Being overweight or obese
• Having a family history of preeclampsia
Fortunately, there are tests that can be done to screen for preeclampsia. These tests look for certain biomarkers that have been linked to the condition.
One of the most important biomarkers for preeclampsia is called placental growth factor (PLGF). PLGF is a protein that helps the placenta grow. Women with preeclampsia tend to have lower levels of PLGF.
Other biomarkers that have been linked to preeclampsia include:
• soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 (sFLT1)
• placental protein 13 (PP13)
• pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A)
• beta-hCG
Each of these biomarkers can be measured with a blood test.
If you are pregnant, talk to your doctor about whether you should be tested for preeclampsia. The earlier the condition is detected, the better. If you are found to be at high risk, your doctor will closely monitor your pregnancy and may provide treatment to help prevent preeclampsia from developing.
Preeclampsia is a serious complication of pregnancy, characterized by high blood pressure and protein in the urine. Preeclampsia can occur anytime after 20 weeks of gestation and usually resolves within 48 hours after delivery. Although it can occur in any pregnancy, preeclampsia is more common in first pregnancies and in women carrying twins or multiple fetuses.
There are several biomarkers that have been identified as predictive of preeclampsia risk. These include:
– Elevated levels of the placental protein, soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 (sFLT1). This protein is thought to play a role in the development of preeclampsia by reducing the availability of circulating blood to the placenta.
– Reduced levels of the anti-angiogenic factor, soluble endoglin (sEng). This protein is thought to be involved in the development of preeclampsia by impairing the proliferation and differentiation of endothelial cells.
– Elevated levels of placental growth factor (PlGF). This protein is thought to be involved in the development of preeclampsia by stimulating the growth of new blood vessels to the placenta.
– Reduced levels of the anti-inflammatory cytokine, interleukin-10 (IL-10). This protein is thought to be involved in the development of preeclampsia by modulating the inflammatory response to placental damage.
Identifying women at risk for preeclampsia is important, as it can allow for early diagnosis and treatment of the condition. If you are pregnant and have any of the above risk factors, be sure to discuss them with your healthcare provider.
