Screening for pre-eclampsia and growth retardation

SCREENING FOR PRE-ECLAMPSIA AND GROWTH RETARDATION (THE MOST COMMON PREGNANCY COMPLICATIONS)

Pre-eclampsia (PE) is a serious complication of pregnancy occurring in up to 5% of pregnant women. In more severe cases, it is the cause of premature birth, growth retardation or termination of pregnancy by caesarean section, and in some cases it can threaten the life and health of the mother. Pre-eclampsia occurs at the earliest after the 20^th week of pregnancy.

Early diagnosis allows this life-threatening complication to be addressed before its severe clinical manifestations.

The main symptoms of PE are:

increase in maternal blood pressure
high levels of protein in the urine

Pregnant women who have an increased risk of PE

occurrence of PE in a previous pregnancy
family history of PE (in mother or sister)
chronic high blood pressure, chronic kidney disease or both
multiple pregnancies
pregnancy after IVF
Type I or Type II diabetes
obesity
autoimmune diseases (systemic lupus erythematosus, antiphospholipid syndrome)
higher maternal age (40 years)
if the patient is worried

In our Centre, we calculate the risk of PE occurrence during screening in the 1^st trimester of pregnancy (11^th-13^th weeks of pregnancy).

From pregnancy week 14+0 (in the second trimester) onwards, we recommend that you complete the AFP, HCG, uE3 collection by your gynaecologist – i.e. perform a complete sequential integrated test.

The calculation of the pre-eclampsia risk not covered by health insurance companies and its price including ultrasound examination amounts to 2200 CZK

(ultrasound examination 1600 CZK, screening for pre-eclampsia 600 CZK)

Screening for PE in the 1^st trimester includes:

maternal parameters (age, height, weight) + personal and family history
blood pressure measurement
ultrasound examination of blood flow in the uterine arteries by a certified sonographer from FMF London (Foetal Medicine Foundation London)
blood test to determine PlGF levels (placental growth hormone)

In our centre for prenatal diagnostics and medical genetics we use 4 of the top-of-the-range ultrasound machines – the GENERAL ELECTRIC VOLUSON E10 BT.