Pregnancy is a journey that requires regular health monitoring. One condition that deserves particular attention is preeclampsia, a hypertensive disorder that typically develops after 20 weeks of pregnancy and may lead to serious complications for both mother and baby.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), preeclampsia affects approximately 3–8% of women who give birth worldwide. Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy account for around 16% of global maternal deaths, equivalent to approximately 42,000 deaths in 2023. In Indonesia, the Ministry of Health reported in April 2026 that preeclampsia and eclampsia are the second leading cause of maternal death, contributing to approximately 25% of cases.

Who Is at Higher Risk?

The risk of preeclampsia may be higher during a first pregnancy, multiple pregnancy, in women with obesity, and in those aged 35 years or older. Other important risk factors include chronic hypertension, diabetes, kidney disease, a previous history of preeclampsia, and a family history of the condition.

Having one or more risk factors does not mean that preeclampsia will definitely occur. However, closer monitoring during pregnancy may be recommended.

What Tests Are Related to Preeclampsia?

Regular blood pressure measurement is one of the most important components of antenatal screening. Blood pressure of 140/90 mmHg or higher after 20 weeks of pregnancy requires further assessment, particularly when blood pressure was previously normal.

Laboratory tests may also help healthcare professionals assess the mother's condition, including:

• Urine protein testing, which helps identify proteinuria associated with kidney involvement.
• Complete blood count, particularly the platelet count, because decreasing platelet levels may indicate more severe disease.
• Liver function tests, including AST/SGOT and ALT/SGPT, to evaluate possible liver involvement.
• Kidney function tests, particularly serum creatinine, with additional tests performed according to the clinical condition.
• In selected cases of suspected preterm preeclampsia, PlGF-based tests or the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio may help clinicians assess the likelihood of preeclampsia when used together with standard clinical evaluation. These biomarkers should not be used as a stand-alone diagnostic test.

Preeclampsia may initially develop without obvious symptoms. Warning signs such as severe headache, visual disturbances, upper abdominal pain, shortness of breath, or severely elevated blood pressure therefore require prompt medical assessment.

Routine antenatal care allows healthcare professionals to monitor changes in blood pressure and organ function throughout pregnancy. Early detection cannot guarantee that preeclampsia will be prevented, but timely recognition and appropriate management can help reduce the risk of serious complications for both mother and baby.