Enhancing the Diagnosis of Pre-eclampsia: Assessing Availability of Current Diagnostic Tools and Identifying Promising Innovations

Pre-eclampsia remains a major cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality worldwide, yet timely and accurate diagnosis remains a challenge, particularly in low-resource settings. Current diagnostic criteria rely on blood pressure measurement and proteinuria testing, both of which have limitations in sensitivity, accessibility, and predictive value. There is a growing understanding that special tests for non-proteinuric pre-eclampsia may be required, although these are often not available in resource-limtied settings. Access to diagnostic tools varies widely between healthcare settings, contributing to delays in diagnosis and disparities in maternal outcomes. This PhD project aims to assess the availability and utility of existing diagnostic tools for pre-eclampsia across different healthcare settings and identify promising emerging technologies that could improve early detection and risk stratification. Specifically, the research will: 1. Map the Availability of Diagnostic Tools: Conduct a global or region-specific assessment of the availability and use of standard diagnostic tools (e.g., blood pressure monitors, urine dipsticks, protein/creatinine ratio testing) in different healthcare settings, with a focus on low-resource environments. 2. Evaluate the Performance of Current Diagnostics: Analyze how existing diagnostic tools perform in detecting pre-eclampsia across diverse populations, including their sensitivity, specificity, and feasibility for routine use. 3. Identify and Assess Emerging Diagnostic Technologies: Review and evaluate novel biomarkers, point-of-care tests, and digital health innovations (e.g., AI-assisted diagnostics, wearable blood pressure monitors) that have the potential to enhance pre-eclampsia detection. 4. Explore Barriers and Facilitators to Implementation: Investigate factors influencing the adoption of new diagnostic tools, including cost, training requirements, regulatory challenges, and health system readiness. Impact: By identifying gaps in current diagnostic availability and evaluating promising innovations, this research aims to inform policy recommendations, guide investment in new technologies, and ultimately improve early detection and management of pre-eclampsia, reducing maternal and neonatal complications.