Sign in Subscribe
Pregnant women

Preeclampsia Diagnosis in Canada: The Role of Placental Growth Factor Testing

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Preeclampsia is a significant concern in Canada, with a growing need for timely and accurate diagnosis to prevent maternal and perinatal complications. Researchers at Sinai Health System have identified placental growth factor (PlGF) testing as a promising diagnostic tool. The Canadian PlGF Strategy & Research Consortium, comprising clinicians, researchers, and patient partners, has emphasized the importance of implementing diagnostic PlGF testing to improve outcomes.

Key Takeaways:

  • Preeclampsia is a leading cause of maternal morbidity and adverse perinatal outcomes in Canada, affecting approximately 3-5% of pregnancies (Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Canada, 2025;47(10):103076).
  • Placental growth factor (PlGF) testing has been identified as a novel biomarker for the diagnosis of preeclampsia, with promising results in accelerating timely diagnosis (Placental Growth Factor Diagnostic Testing: An Opportunity to Transform Pregnancy Care for Patients With Suspected Preeclampsia in Canada, 2025).
  • Despite national endorsement, the implementation of PlGF testing in Canada faces challenges, including regional disparities and test standardization (Placental Growth Factor Diagnostic Testing: An Opportunity to Transform Pregnancy Care for Patients With Suspected Preeclampsia in Canada, 2025).
  • The Canadian PlGF Strategy & Research Consortium recommends the implementation of diagnostic PlGF testing to improve maternal and perinatal outcomes in Canada (Placental Growth Factor Diagnostic Testing: An Opportunity to Transform Pregnancy Care for Patients With Suspected Preeclampsia in Canada, 2025).
  • Researchers at Sinai Health System, led by Kelsey McLaughlin, have conducted extensive research on PlGF testing, highlighting its potential to transform pregnancy care for patients with suspected preeclampsia (NewsRx Research Report, 2025).
  • The study aimed to investigate the relationship between PlGF levels and the diagnosis of preeclampsia, ultimately concluding that PlGF testing could be a valuable tool in improving pregnancy outcomes (Placental Growth Factor Diagnostic Testing: An Opportunity to Transform Pregnancy Care for Patients With Suspected Preeclampsia in Canada, 2025).

Statistics:

  • Approximately 3-5% of pregnancies in Canada are affected by preeclampsia (Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Canada, 2025;47(10):103076).
  • PlGF testing has a sensitivity of 95% and specificity of 90% in diagnosing preeclampsia (Placental Growth Factor Diagnostic Testing: An Opportunity to Transform Pregnancy Care for Patients With Suspected Preeclampsia in Canada, 2025).
  • The implementation of PlGF testing in Canada could lead to a reduction in maternal and perinatal complications by up to 30% (Placental Growth Factor Diagnostic Testing: An Opportunity to Transform Pregnancy Care for Patients With Suspected Preeclampsia in Canada, 2025).

Sources:

  • Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Canada, 2025;47(10):103076
  • NewsRx. Researchers at Sinai Health System Report New Data on Women's Health (Placental Growth Factor Diagnostic Testing: An Opportunity to Transform Pregnancy Care for Patients With Suspected Preeclampsia in Canada). OBGYN & Reproduction Week. September 22, 2025; p 727.

Read more