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Nephropathy following pre-eclampsia

Last edited: 4/10/2026

Overview

Nephropathy following pre-eclampsia refers to kidney damage that can occur as a consequence of this pregnancy complication. Preeclampsia is characterized by new-onset hypertension and proteinuria or end-organ dysfunction after 20 weeks of gestation.

Diagnosis

  • Elevated circulating neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) is associated with preeclampsia 2.
  • Elevated circulating pentraxin-3 (PTX-3) is observed in women with preeclampsia compared to normal pregnancies and may be present before clinical onset 4.
  • The sFlt-1/PlGF ratio demonstrates good predictive performance for preeclampsia 1.
  • Management

  • Oral antioxidant therapies have shown beneficial effects in preeclampsia prevention 3.
  • Antioxidant therapy may have a positive impact on intrauterine growth restriction during preeclampsia treatment 3.
  • Special Populations

  • Pregnancy: Preeclampsia is a condition specific to pregnancy 1234. Biomarkers like sFlt-1, PlGF, NGAL, and PTX-3 are studied in pregnant women for prediction and association with preeclampsia 124. Antioxidant therapies are evaluated for prevention and treatment in pregnancy 3.
  • Key Recommendations

  • The sFlt-1/PlGF ratio shows good predictive performance for preeclampsia 1. (Evidence: Strong)
  • Oral antioxidant therapies have demonstrated beneficial effects in the prevention of preeclampsia 3. (Evidence: Strong)
  • Circulating NGAL levels are significantly higher in women with preeclampsia compared to controls 2. (Evidence: Moderate)
  • Circulating PTX-3 levels are significantly higher in women with preeclampsia compared to normal pregnancies 4. (Evidence: Moderate)
  • References

    1 Zhang L, Li W, Chi X, Sun Q, Li Y, Xing W et al.. Predictive performance of sFlt-1, PlGF and the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio for preeclampsia: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of gynecology obstetrics and human reproduction 2025. link 2 Wei Y, Li L, Wang F, Fu L, Li Z, Hu Y. Circulating neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin and preeclampsia: a meta-analysis. The journal of maternal-fetal & neonatal medicine : the official journal of the European Association of Perinatal Medicine, the Federation of Asia and Oceania Perinatal Societies, the International Society of Perinatal Obstetricians 2023. link 3 Alves PRMM, Fragoso MBT, Tenório MCS, Bueno NB, Goulart MOF, Oliveira ACM. The role played by oral antioxidant therapies in preventing and treating preeclampsia: An updated meta-analysis. Nutrition, metabolism, and cardiovascular diseases : NMCD 2023. link 4 Liu Y, Li P. Circulating pentraxin-3 and preeclampsia: a meta-analysis of 17 case-control studies. The journal of maternal-fetal & neonatal medicine : the official journal of the European Association of Perinatal Medicine, the Federation of Asia and Oceania Perinatal Societies, the International Society of Perinatal Obstetricians 2021. link

    Original source

    1. [1]
      Predictive performance of sFlt-1, PlGF and the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio for preeclampsia: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Zhang L, Li W, Chi X, Sun Q, Li Y, Xing W et al. Journal of gynecology obstetrics and human reproduction (2025)
    2. [2]
      Circulating neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin and preeclampsia: a meta-analysis.Wei Y, Li L, Wang F, Fu L, Li Z, Hu Y The journal of maternal-fetal & neonatal medicine : the official journal of the European Association of Perinatal Medicine, the Federation of Asia and Oceania Perinatal Societies, the International Society of Perinatal Obstetricians (2023)
    3. [3]
      The role played by oral antioxidant therapies in preventing and treating preeclampsia: An updated meta-analysis.Alves PRMM, Fragoso MBT, Tenório MCS, Bueno NB, Goulart MOF, Oliveira ACM Nutrition, metabolism, and cardiovascular diseases : NMCD (2023)
    4. [4]
      Circulating pentraxin-3 and preeclampsia: a meta-analysis of 17 case-control studies.Liu Y, Li P The journal of maternal-fetal & neonatal medicine : the official journal of the European Association of Perinatal Medicine, the Federation of Asia and Oceania Perinatal Societies, the International Society of Perinatal Obstetricians (2021)

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