apfcbAPFCB eNewscoAPFCB News Volume 4, Issue 2MultidisciplinaryEnglishJul-Dec, 2025NNY20250831ArticlesEffectiveness of PlGF as a Point of Care Tool for the Prediction of Preeclampsia in HighRisk PregnanciesEnglishY110116Dr. RevathiSoundararajanEnglishNDr Snehal S.DhobaleEnglishYDr Kamin A.RaoEnglishY10.62772/APFCB-News.2025.4203Corresponding author: Dr. Revathi Soundararajan,Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Associate Fellow, Milann Hospital, Bengaluru, India;Email: drrevathi.smfmi@gmail.comObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness of PlGF-POC (Triage®) testing in predicting preeclampsia in high-risk pregnant women (20-24 weeks gestation) and compare outcomes with historical controls.BackgroundPreeclampsia (PE) remains a leading cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality worldwide, affecting approximately 3% to 5% of all pregnancies and representing the most prevalent medical complication during gestation. It is associated with a combined maternal and perinatal mortality rate of around 10%.1 PE often presents with atypical features and can progress rapidly, necessitating prompt recognition and intervention. Potential complications include eclampsia, HELLP syndrome, fetal growth restriction, and intrauterine fetal demise. Identified risk factors include primiparity, multifetal gestation, and preexisting conditions such as obesity, chronic hypertension, renal disease, and autoimmune disorders.1 The International Society for the Study of Hypertension in Pregnancy (ISSHP) recommends incorporating angiogenic biomarkers, such as placental growth factor (PlGF), into clinical assessments to enhance diagnostic accuracy. Nevertheless, further research is required to validate the routine implementation of these biomarkers, with the overarching goal of reducing adverse outcomes through timely and accurate diagnosis and management.2 Pathophysiology of PE PEarises from abnormal placentation, including: Incomplete spiral artery remodellingOxidative and hydrostatic injury Endothelial dysfunctionThis leads to systemic maternal inflammation and vascular pathology. Role of PlGF in early prediction of PEPlacental Growth Factor (PlGF) is a biomarker of placental dysfunction, with reduced levels in early-onset severe preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction. Between 20 and 34+6 weeks of gestation, PlGF enhances diagnostic accuracy, demonstrating high sensitivity (94.5%) and specificity (95%) for early-onset pre-eclampsia3. PlGF testing guides decisions on surveillance and referral, improving outcomes. The Triage PlGF assay on POC shows superior performance, enabling earlier detection and targeted surveillance.4Integrating PlGF testing into antenatal care enables the earlier detection of complications and improved outcomes in preeclamptic mothers through targeted surveillance.Englishhttps://apfcb.org/APFCB_News/abstract?id=43References16191. Obstetrics and;amp; Gynecology Clinics of North America. June 2010; 37(2).2. Magee LA, Brown MA, Hall DR, Gupte S, Hennessy A, Karumanchi SA, Kenny LC, McCarthy F, Myers J, Poon LC, Rana S, Saito S, Staff AC, Tsigas E, von Dadelszen P. The 2021 International Society for the Study of Hypertension in Pregnancy classification, diagnosis and;amp; management recommendations for international practice. Pregnancy Hypertens. 2022 Mar; 27:148-169. doi: 10.1016/j.preghy.2021.09.008. Epub 2021 Oct 9. PMID: 35066406.3. Knudsen UB, et al. Pregnancy Hypertension. 2011; 2:8and;ndash;15.4. Benton SJ, et al. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2011;205: 469.e1and;ndash;469.e8.5. Saffer C, et al. Pregnancy Hypertension. 2013; 3:124and;ndash;132.6. Chappell LC, et al. Circulation. 2013; 128:2121and;ndash;2131 (PELICAN Study).