NEW BIOCHEMICAL MARKERS FOR PREECLAMPSIA-A MINI REVIEW

Dr. Neeru Bhaskar*

ABSTRACT

Pre-eclampsia (PE) is a multisystem disorder of unknown etiology characterized by development of hypertension to the extent of 140/90 mmHg or more with proteinuria after 20 weeks of pregnancy in a previously normotensive and non-proteinuric patients. It is one of the most common complications in obstetrics and is one of the primary cause of maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity worldwide. A large number of biochemical markers have been investigated for the prophecy of PE which include molecules from trophoblast, angiogenic/anti-angiogenic factors, inflammatory markers, free fetal hemoglobin (HbF), and renal markers. The particular biochemical markers discussed in this review are: VEGF, PAPP-A, s-Flt-1/PlGF, s-Endoglin, PP13, cystatin-C, HbF, and α₁-microglobulin (A1M) , Cell free fetal DNA, Inhibin and Activin A, Pentraxin3, cystatin C and B- microglobin. Screening pregnant women with biochemical markers for PE can reduce needless suffering and health care costs by early recognition of mothers at increased risk for PE, thus avoiding unnecessary hospitalization of pregnant women with suspect or mild PE and enabling monitoring of the progression of the disease thereby optimizing time for delivery and expectantly reducing the number of premature births. Our review presents an overview of the new methods and techniques used for early screening for preeclampsia and pregnancy-induced hypertension. Various studies have been conducted worldwide for identifying the population at high risk of pregnancy-induced hypertension and preeclampsia and more need to be done in order to tender appropriate antenatal care to these women.

Keywords: Preeclampsia, VEGF, PAPP-A, S-Endoglin, PP13, Cystatin-C, HbF, Cell free Fetal DNA, Pentraxin 3.