ProteoGenix :: Innovative clinical genomic and proteomic technologies to the focused mission of developing and marketing diagnostic tests during a woman’s pregnancy.

Preeclampsia is common in pregnancy and consists of elevated blood pressure, proteinuria and edema.¹¹ Often referred to as ‘pregnancy-induced hypertension’ or ‘toxemia’, preeclampsia is present in 5–8% of all pregnancies. Preeclampsia can pose a serious risk to both mother and baby. If not treated, severe preeclampsia can progress to seizures (eclampsia) and, in some cases, be fatal for the mother. Infants of mothers with preeclampsia may suffer from suboptimal intrauterine growth (intrauterine growth restriction) and stillbirth.

Since there is no known treatment of preeclampsia other than delivery, it is a significant cause of preterm birth. Currently, there is no way to predict preeclampsia and the onset of symptoms often occurs suddenly. Symptoms include headaches, swelling and sudden weight gain. While the cause of preeclampsia is not well understood, some of the risk factors include:

The National Institute of Child Health and Development (division of the National Institutes of Health) has stated that being able to predict preeclampsia would help doctors offer treatments that can prevent some of the serious problems that occur as a result, e.g. low-birthweight and premature infants.

ProteoGenix’ advanced work on mapping the proteome of pregnancy has poised the company for development and commercialization of novel biomarkers for pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia. A non-invasive test to identify those women at greatest risk for aggressive monitoring, and to aid in study of prevention and treatment, should offer hope for women and physicians faced with this serious disorder.