Obstetric
Pre-eclampsia screening

Pre-eclampsia (PE) is a common condition affecting approximately 2-5% of pregnant women.  It usually manifests as high blood pressure initially, and can lead to fetal growth restriction and prematurity, and other important clinical issues. In about 0.5% of pregnancies, the fetus and mother are severely affected, resulting in pre-term delivery.

Western Ultrasound for Women are pleased to offer screening for Pre-Eclampsia in the First Trimester. This is done by using a combination of ultrasound at 13 1/2 weeks (measurement of blood flow in the maternal uterine arteries), blood tests (Placental Growth Factor and PAPP-A) and clinical factors (including height, weight, blood pressure, family history etc). Using all this information together, screening at 13 1/2 weeks will identify 90% of women who will be affected by early onset pre-eclampsia. This is important as treatment can then be started early, before the condition would normally present clinically. It is believed that treatment before 16 weeks will result in >50% reduction in problems in both mother and baby.

No extra ultrasounds are needed for the Pre-eclampsia screening to be performed. The necessary information will obtained at the early anatomy 13 1/2 week ultrasound.

Depending on the NIPT being performed, we may need additional blood. Otherwise, Placental Growth Factor will need to be performed in order for risks to be calculated.

A questionnaire will need to be filled out at time of the scan, and blood pressure, height and weight will be measured.

The requesting doctor needs to specifically ask for PE screening on the request form.

A recent multicentre double-blind randomised placebo-controlled study has been published in the New England Journal of Medicine supporting the use of aspirin in those identified as high risk for pre-eclampsia in early screening.

www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1704559

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Health Alert

The World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a worldwide pandemic on 11 March 2020. The Government of Western Australia has declared an end to the COVID-19 Pandemic State of Emergency on 4 Nov 2022. Please inquire with our medical receptionists about the relevant steps taken to manage bookings with COVID-19 still in the community.

The following guidelines provided from St John of God Hospital apply within our clinics:

    • Face masks are not mandated but they should be worn in crowded indoor settings and where physical distancing is not possible; patients are free to wear them at their discretion.
    • We can confirm vaccination status of our employees and contractors meet WA Health regulations.
    • Hand hygiene is to be practiced at all times.
    • Please do not enter the clinic if you are unwell, tested positive for COVID-19 in the last seven days, been in close contact with a COVID-19 positive person in the last seven days, or if you have any symptoms of infectious illness such as: fever, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, loss of smell or taste, runny nose, diarrhoea, nausea or vomiting.

Please attempt to confirm your appointment before coming.

Healthdirect Hotline: 1800 020 080 | Department of Health Health Warnings

Updated 05 Jan 2023