Preeclampsia is a severe disorder characterized by a surge in tension caused by pregnancy and the presence of protein in the urine. It affects 15% of pregnant women, and although it can be very dangerous for the mother and the baby, if it is detected in time, risks can be controlled and reduced.
But, Would it be possible to predict it? For a while YES, thanks to Preeclampsia Screening, a medical test that detects the pregnant woman's risk of developing preeclampsia during pregnancy. We tell you all the details about this screening.
What is Preeclampsia Screening?
Dr. Vanesa Ocaña, deputy doctor of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Service of the University Hospital of Getafe (Madrid), explains that screening is a mathematical calculation which performs a specific calculator taking into account the following parameters:
Mother's Information: maternal history, parity, age, weight, height and blood pressure recorded on the day of the consultation
Blood test, where the pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) is taken into account, which is also requested in the first trimester analysis for Down Syndrome screening
Ultrasound parameters: CRL-embryo measurement- and the pulsatility index of the uterine arteries
All these parameters are included in the calculator and the percentage of risk that patient has from having preeclampsia during pregnancy.
How reliable is this test?
Currently, and as Dr. Ocaña informs us, the validity of preeclampsia predictive tests is not fully demonstrated, and there is a wide variety of clinical studies, systematic reviews and meta-analyzes around their degree of reliability.
Some studies speak of a 89% reliability in preventing preeclampsia, with a 10% false positive rate.In any case, in the case of a potentially so serious condition, the design of prediction and prevention strategies for this disease always represents an important advance in the obstetric and neonatal area.
At what time of pregnancy is it performed?
Since most cases of preeclampsia occur in patients without previous risk factors, Preeclampsia Screening is performed in the consultation of the first trimester to all pregnant women, in order to detect who has high or low risk of developing preeclampsia during pregnancy.
Is it performed in all hospitals?
Dr. Ocaña tells us that although This test takes time in our country and the latest medical studies increasingly validate its use, since it is not a standard screening established by all scientific societies is not universally implemented.
Thus, each center must decide individually whether or not it is included in the routine tests performed during pregnancy. The Getafe Hospital has decided to implement it since last February 1st.
What to do if there is a high risk of preeclampsia?
The benefit of Preeclampsia Screening is to identify those women who are at a higher risk of developing this disease, so that its appearance can be prevented or a diagnosis can be made as early as possible, recognizing the symptoms and treating as soon as possible.
So, "In the event that the test presents a high risk of suffering from preeclampsia, the specialist will schedule 100 mg acetylsalicylic acid every day, and a follow-up of pregnancy in the high-risk obstetric consultation" - Dr. Vanesa Ocaña tells us.
What if a low risk comes out?
Although Preeclampsia Screening has a low risk of developing this disease during pregnancy, the pregnant woman should not forget take care of your diet maintaining a healthy and varied diet, practicing moderate physical exercise, and carrying out healthy lifestyle habits.
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Acknowledgments Dr. Vanesa Ocaña, Getafe University Hospital
In Infants and More Preeclampsia, Triple Screening in the first trimester of pregnancy: what it is and when it is performed, Ultrasound of the first trimester, Doppler ultrasound in the control of pregnancy, What is a risky pregnancy?
