When to get tested for preeclampsia?

This is an automatically translated article.

The article is professionally consulted by Master, Doctor Nguyen Thi Hong On - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology - Vinmec Phu Quoc International General Hospital.
Preeclampsia poses a danger to the neonate because the termination of pregnancy leads to premature birth, the foundation of fetal malnutrition. Pre-eclampsia screening is a measure to help monitor, detect risks early and have timely interventions to ensure safety for both mother and baby.

1. When to test for preeclampsia?

Screening for preeclampsia will be done between 11 weeks and 13 weeks and 6 days of gestation. This is a non-invasive test that does not affect the health of the fetus at all.
The doctor will ask about the medical conditions of the pregnant woman and her relatives, perform the necessary examination methods to calculate the risk and diagnose the possibility of preeclampsia of the pregnant woman. Thereby, if it is determined that the pregnant woman belongs to a high-risk group, the doctor will advise and give a course of treatment to help prevent the disease. If the pregnant woman is in a low-risk group, it is not 100% sure that she will not have pre-eclampsia, so it is still necessary to continue regular antenatal check-ups to monitor and detect diseases early during pregnancy.

2. Pre-eclampsia testing process

Collecting pregnant women's information: about age, weight, height, medical history of the pregnant woman and her family members Take blood samples to measure PlGF (Placental growth factor) levels placental growth): The pro-angiogenic protein PlGF is a substance secreted by the placenta and is involved in the regulation of placental vascular system development along with maternal endothelial function during pregnancy. PlGF usually increases in the first 2 trimesters and decreases gradually from the 3rd trimester of pregnancy. Pregnant women at risk of pre-eclampsia will have significantly reduced levels of PlGF in their blood during pregnancy. Measurement of average arterial blood pressure: Method of measurement: The mother rests for 3-5 minutes, sits in the correct posture, the two arms measure BP are placed at heart level, the feet touch the ground, psychological and comfortable sitting position.
Using an automatic BP meter, measure both hands at the same time, with the right cuff size. Measure twice and average for each hand and for both hands. The size of the cuff is based on the circumference of the arm in the middle of the humerus (small size: < 22 cm, medium size: 22-32 cm; large size: 33-42 cm) Mean arterial pressure = (systolic BP – diastolic)/3 + diastolic BP Abdominal ultrasound to measure uterine artery pulse index: Preeclampsia is pathognomonic due to impaired infiltration of trophoblastic cells torsion and unsuccessful vascular remodeling at the utero-placental exchange bed, increasing the impedance in the outflows. Uterine artery impedance decreases with gestational age, indicating a normal pregnancy. With pre-eclampsia or growth retardation, this index will increase. All information collected during the test will be processed by an algorithm to make a conclusion whether a woman is at risk of preeclampsia or not.

3. Why is a pre-eclampsia screening test needed?

Pre-eclampsia screening in gestational age from 11 weeks to 13 weeks and 6 days will help identify the risk of preeclampsia in pregnant women, help doctors plan monitoring and early intervention, reduce the severity that the disease brings to mother and baby Tests give accurate results up to 90%, false positive is 10% Performing the test will show a woman's risk of developing preeclampsia at less than 32 weeks of gestation. and under 37 weeks of pregnancy, high or low, Vinmec International General Hospital offers a Package Maternity Care Program for pregnant women right from the first months of pregnancy with a full range of antenatal check-ups, ultrasound Periodic 3D, 4D sound and routine tests to ensure the mother's health and the comprehensive development of the fetus. Pregnant women will no longer be alone when entering labor because having a loved one to help them during childbirth always brings peace of mind and happiness.

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