Routine Blood Test Can Identify Laboring Women at Risk for Preeclampsia

PHILADELPHIA—A simple blood test could help doctors identify women in labor who are at risk for preeclampsia—a leading cause of maternal death—and take precautions to prevent it, according to research presented at the 2024 annual meeting of the American Society of Anesthesiologists.

Between 5% and 10% of pregnant women develop preeclampsia, according to the CDC. Black women are 60% more likely to develop preeclampsia than white women, and more likely to die or have serious