Preeclampsia (PE) is a pregnancy complication caused after 20 weeks of gestation. This condition is more prevalent in obese, older, diabetic and black women. The only treatment for preeclampsia is delivering the baby.

Researchers at Yale School of Medicine have found that analyzing proteins in urine is a simple and objective method to diagnose and classify preeclampsia.

The work was presented at the 26th Annual Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM) meeting on February 3 by Irina A. Buhimschi, M.D., assistant professor in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences.

The team applied proteomics to define the best combination of urinary biomarkers that set PE apart from other proteinuric hypertensive conditions during pregnancy.

This method will lead to earlier diagnosis and treatment of PE and can help prevent unnecessary pre-term deliveries.