The Role of Biochemical Markers in the Prediction of Preeclampsia

Abstract

Preeclampsia is disorder unique to human pregnancy, defined by the international society of the study of hypertension in pregnancy (ISSHP). It causes significant maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. Measures to predict preeclampsia are very valuable for fetal and maternal health. This review aims to focus on the role of biochemical markers in the prediction of preeclampsia, which may help early detection and improve outcome of pregnancy. It was found that the efficiency and accuracy heavily depended on the timeline of pregnancy, moreover, some biochemical markers are considered more accurate when accompanied with ultrasound scan. Many of these biochemical markers are measured in the first trimester, and the normal ranges in normal pregnant women and preeclamptic women differ majorly, where some are notably increased during the first trimester, opposed to others that are decreased. The results of this review showed the markers that are important in picking up women at risk of developing preeclampsia early from the first trimester.