PEPPI-group: Early Prediction of Preeclampsia and Placental Insufficiency

Preeclampsia affects about 2-5% of pregnant women. Preeclampsia is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in pregnant women and newborns worldwide. In approximately 1% of cases preeclampsia is severe. Currently, preeclampsia screening is based on maternal characteristics in Finland. The PEPPI (PlGF in Early Prediction of Preeclampsia and Placental Insufficiency) study evaluates whether the screening program developed by Fetal Medicine Foundation would improve early detection of women in risk of preeclampsia in Finland.

The PEPPI study gathers a unique cohort of 3000 mothers, fathers, and children. Data on mothers, children and fathers can be collected reliably and comprehensively through pre-information forms, questionnaires, patient information systems and national registries. The cohort is very representative of our own low-risk population, as women are recruited on their first consultation visit and not, for example, when preeclampsia has already been diagnosed. The cohort provides a special set of samples that can be used to determine the etiology, screening and heritability of pregnancy complications and their effect on the health of the child and the mother.