A new personalized screening algorithm combining maternal history, ultrasound, and blood marker tests may significantly improve early prediction of preeclampsia in pregnant women, according to recent research published in Hypertension. This first-trimester screening approach aims to identify preeclampsia risk when preventative interventions, like low-dose aspirin, can be more effective. Traditional screening primarily focuses on pre-existing risk factors, which often leads to misdiagnosis or missed cases, particularly in Black women and other high-risk groups. This study, conducted with over 7,000 first-time pregnant women in Canada, found that the Fetal Medicine Foundation’s algorithm predicted preterm preeclampsia in 63.1% of cases and early-onset cases in 77.3%, while significantly lowering false positives compared to current U.S. guidelines.
As symptoms of preeclampsia—such as high blood pressure, headaches, and swelling—generally appear after 20 weeks, this early detection model could improve maternal health outcomes, addressing a leading cause of maternal mortality worldwide. Notably, senior author Dr. Emmanuel Bujold highlighted the personalized approach’s potential to better tailor preventive measures, leading to greater adherence and effective intervention. Experts stress that early risk detection for preeclampsia also opens opportunities to improve heart health conversations between clinicians and patients. Researchers see this approach as a step towards more inclusive, preventive healthcare strategies for expectant mothers across diverse populations.
