Placental growth factor testing to assess women with suspected pre-eclampsia

Pre-eclampsia diagnosis is currently made based on clinical signs including blood pressure and proteinuria measurements. A recent trial analysed the use of placental growth factor to assess women with suspected pre-eclampsia. ### EBM Verdict EBM Verdict on: Placental growth factor testing to assess women with suspected pre-eclampsia: a multicentre, pragmatic, stepped-wedge cluster-randomised controlled trial.  Lancet 2019;393:1807–18. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(18)33212-4. Pre-eclampsia occurs in 2%–8% of pregnancies, and is a significant contributor to maternal morbidity and mortality; however, the exact causes are unclear.1 Current diagnosis is based on clinical features including hypertension and proteinuria, requiring regular monitoring.2 Low circulating concentration of placental growth factor (PlGF), an angiogenic factor, has been shown to have a high sensitivity and negative predictive value for pre-eclampsia, suggesting PlGF could be a useful test in women …