How to identify pregnant women at risk of pre-eclampsia? - a review of the current literature

Pre-eclampsia remains a major cause of poor perinatal outcome worldwide. As administering acetylsalicylic acid in a high risk population reduces the risk of PE, it is essential to identify women at risk of PE. Several algorithms for PE risk assessment have been developed. They include maternal factors combined with uterine artery pulsatility index, mean arterial pressure, serum pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A, placental growth factor, and serum soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1. Beside PE prophylaxis with acetylsalicylic acid, a proper management of women considered at a high risk of PE is essential. The sFlt-1:PlGF ratio between 20 and 34 + 6 weeks may be used to predict a short-term absence of PE or to predict the risk of PE diagnosis within 4 weeks and a significant shortening of the duration of pregnancy associated with it. The sFlt-1:PlGF ratio may be helpful in deciding about hospitalization or choosing the optimal time for corticosteroid administration in women at risk of PE. It may also help to reduce overall healthcare costs.