The UK NSC recommendation on Pre-eclampsia screening in pregnancy

Recommendation	Systematic population screening programme not recommended, clinical practice guidelines covered by NICE
Last review completed	December 2011
Next review due in	2014/15
Key downloads	Last external review - Pre-eclampsia screening
A nationally managed screening programme for pre-eclampsia is not recommended. There are currently no appropriate predictive tests or preventive treatments with suitably safe profiles. There is also insufficient information on the natural history of pre-eclampsia. Current management is based on pragmatic assessment and management of risk factors throughout pregnancy.

Find general information about population health screening.

More about Pre-eclampsia

Pre-eclampsia is a complication of the second half of pregnancy, labour or the first few days after delivery. New hypertension (raised blood pressure) and proteinuria (abnormal amounts of protein in the urine) are its main features. Oedema (swelling) is an inconsistent part of the condition. As its name suggests pre-eclampsia may precede eclampsia, when epileptic-like convulsions occur.

» Read more about pre-eclampsia on NHS Choices

Stakeholders

• Faculty of Public Health
• Royal College of General Practitioners
• Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
• Royal College of Physicians
• Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow
• Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh

The stakeholder groups will be involved when the recommendation is next reviewed. If you think your organisation should be added, please contact us. More information for stakeholders can be found in appendix C of the UK NSC evidence review process.

Related documents

Summary of Policy and Consultation Responses for Pre-Eclampsia Nov 2011 (PDF document, 188KB, 09/08/13)

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