Posted on May 27, 2025
A Life-Saving Innovation: Why We Need Better Tests for Preeclampsia Now
Preeclampsia is a serious pregnancy complication that affects thousands of women every year. It can lead to high blood pressure, organ damage, seizures, and even death if not caught early. But here’s the surprising part: the way we diagnose preeclampsia hasn’t changed much in over 100 years.
Right now, doctors mostly rely on checking a pregnant woman’s blood pressure and looking for protein in her urine. These methods aren’t always reliable. That means some women don’t get the help they need in time, while others may end up being treated for something they don’t actually have.
The Promise of Biomarkers
That’s where something called biomarkers comes in. Biomarkers are signals in your body—things found in your blood, urine, or saliva—that can tell doctors when something’s wrong. For preeclampsia, certain biomarkers could help spot the condition before it becomes dangerous.
Using biomarkers would allow doctors to:
- Catch preeclampsia earlier
- Know how serious it is
- Avoid unnecessary hospital visits
- Keep moms and babies safer
Researchers have already found some promising biomarkers, but these tests aren’t widely used yet. That needs to change—and fast.
A Call to Action
The Preeclampsia Foundation is urging everyone—doctors, researchers, hospitals, insurance companies, and government leaders—to make biomarker testing a priority. They want:
- More research funding
- Faster approval of new tests
- Better access for all pregnant women, especially those most at risk
- This is especially important for Black and Native American women, who are more likely to get preeclampsia and suffer worse outcomes.
What You Can Do
We have the tools to save lives—we just need to use them. If you’re pregnant, planning to be, or know someone who is, talk to your doctor about preeclampsia and the latest in testing. And consider supporting the work of the Preeclampsia Foundation, which is fighting for better care for all moms and babies.
🔗 Learn more and join the movement at preeclampsia.org.
Check out Trashaun's story. After conceiving naturally and having a normal early pregnancy, Trashaun developed HELLP syndrome (a severe variant of preeclampsia) at 23 weeks gestation. Due to the life-threatening nature of the condition, she required an emergency C-section. Her daughter was born weighing only 1 pound, 1 ounce and survived for just two days due to extreme prematurity. Trashaun has turned her trauma into empowerment and purpose, sharing her story and advocating for increased awareness and support for expectant parents.
State leaders must do more to improve maternal and infant health.
In New Jersey, black moms are:
- 18 times more likely to suffer from postpartum hemorrhaging that may lead to death or lifelong complications compared to all races.
- 7 times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than White mothers.
This November, New Jersey will elect a new governor and state assembly. As part of ACNJ's election campaign, we're encouraging voters to engage with candidates and make children's issues a top priority. Check out our Election Guide, which includes data surrounding child care, maternal and infant health, and positive youth development.
