Special Precautions/Comments:

Available on QE Gateshead and Sunderland hospital sites only. Phone lab when sending sample. Requires urgent centrifugation and freezing if samples not analysed immediately.  Freeze only once.

Additional Information:

Preeclampsia (PE) is a serious complication of pregnancy characterized by hypertension and proteinuria after 20 weeks of gestation. Preeclampsia occurs in 3-5% of pregnancies and results in substantial maternal and fetal or neonatal mortality and morbidity. Clinical manifestations can vary from mild to severe forms; preeclampsia is still one of the leading causes of fetal and maternal morbidity and mortality.

The ratio of sFIt-1 to PIGF has been shown to be a better predictor of preeclampsia than either measure alone. The sFlt-i/PIGF ratio seems a reliable tool for discriminating between different types of pregnancy-related hypertensive disorders. In addition, sFlt-l/PICF has potential relevance as a prognostic parameter in PE and may be useful in prediction of preeclampsia and related maternal and fetal adverse outcomes, risk stratification and management.