A top priority in pre-eclampsia research: development of a reliable and inexpensive urinary screening test

Abstract

Pre-eclampsia is a leading cause of maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity worldwide, with an estimated 60 000 pre-eclampsia-related maternal deaths per year.1 This complication of human pregnancy has increased in incidence in the past decade and can be avoided by timely and effective care (secondary prevention).2 Pre-eclampsia is defined by new hypertension and organ damage (mainly involving the kidney and sometimes the liver) that can evolve into eclamptic seizures, maternal stroke, and abruptio placentae.