Screening and planned delivery to prevent preeclampsia at term

Protocol of the PE37 Study: A Multicenter Randomized Trial of Screening With sFlt1/PlGF and Planned Delivery to Prevent Preeclampsia at Term

Not applicable Interventional Fundació Institut de Recerca de l'Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau · NCT04766866

This study is testing a new blood test to see if it can help predict preeclampsia in first-time pregnant women and if inducing labor early can lower the chances of complications for both mom and baby.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment9132 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexFemale
SponsorFundació Institut de Recerca de l'Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau Academic / other
Locations21 sites (Liège and 20 other locations)
Trial IDNCT04766866 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study aims to evaluate a single-step screening method using the sFlt1/PlGF ratio in maternal blood at 35-36 weeks of gestation to predict term preeclampsia (PE). If detected, the study proposes to induce labor from 37 weeks to reduce the prevalence of term PE without increasing cesarean section rates or adverse neonatal outcomes. The approach is designed to be pragmatic and applicable in various healthcare settings, particularly in those with limited resources. The study focuses on nulliparous women with singleton pregnancies who meet specific eligibility criteria.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are nulliparous women over 18 years old with singleton pregnancies between 35.0 and 36.6 weeks of gestation.

Not a fit: Patients with fetuses/neonates that have major malformations or genetic anomalies, or those suspected of fetal growth restriction, may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly reduce the incidence of term preeclampsia and improve maternal and neonatal outcomes.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown promising results with similar screening approaches, indicating potential for success in this novel intervention.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Nulliparous women
* Singleton pregnancies
* \>18 years old
* 35.0-36.6 weeks of gestation
* Maternal written consent form

Exclusion Criteria:

* Fetuses/neonates with major malformations or genetic anomalies that could modify the timing of delivery or has an impact on obstetric outcome
* Suspected fetal growth restriction (estimated fetal weight \<3 centile or between the 3rd and 10th centile together with abnormal Doppler in the mean uterine artery Doppler pulsatility index, or in umbilical artery pulsatility index or in the middle cerebral artery or in the cerebral umbilical index (CPR))
* Participation in another interventional study that could modify the timing of delivery.

Where this trial is running

Liège and 20 other locations

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions PreeclampsiaIntrauterine Growth RestrictionMaternal HypertensionNeonatal OutcomePerinatal DeathPreeclampsia, angiogenic factors, perinatal death, induction of labour
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.