title: Prediction of preeclampsia: can it be achieved?
abstract: In this review, the various biochemical tests that have been proposed for the prediction of preeclampsia are described and evaluated. Placenta hormone markers do not predict future disease. They denounce the early placental changes that are part of the evolving disease and only predict the imminent of preeclamptic syndrome. This explains why tests are better predictors when preeclampsia supervenes shortly, and why screening in the first trimester is unlikely to work as well as in the second trimester. The use of multiple markers in the screening should reflect different aspects of the disease process and could increase the specificity and sensitivity of the screening and work on different etiologic factors. The possible use of second-trimester biochemical screening to predict the risk of preeclampsia remains to be investigated in the high-risk population.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Obstetricians & Gynecologists, Family Physicians
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  After completion of this article, the reader should be able to list the various theories on the etiology of preeclampsia, to relate the various risk factors for the development of preeclampsia, and to describe the various screening tests for preeclampsia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Barnsley District General Hospital, Barnsley, UK.
authors.forename: Khalid
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Farag
authors.forename: Ismail
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Hassan
authors.forename: William L
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Ledger
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers