Landscape of Diagnostics Development for Preterm Labour, Pre-eclampsia & Intrauterine Growth Restriction

Preterm labour, preeclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction are major issues affecting the health and wellbeing of pregnant women and newborns worldwide, with the greatest burden felt in low- and middle-income countries. Pre-eclampsia affects up to five per cent of all pregnant women, and its most serious consequence – eclampsia – is still responsible for more than one in ten maternal deaths worldwide each year. Intrauterine growth restriction affects around 15% of pregnant women globally – with 75% of cases recorded in Southeast Asia alone – and is responsible for a third of stillborn infants. Complications from preterm birth are the leading cause of death among children under five years of age and are the cause of just under a million neonatal deaths each year. While no medicines currently exist to treat the underlying causes of these conditions, diagnosis can inform clinical decisions that have the potential to improve health outcomes for both mothers and babies.

In total, 215 diagnostics were identified as in use or under investigation for preterm labour/birth (PTL), preeclampsia (PE) and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) between 2000 and 2023. The largest number of diagnostics were identified for PTL (85 diagnostics), followed by PE (76 diagnostics) and IUGR (54 diagnostics). With PTL, PE and IUGR still posing major threats to the health and wellbeing of mothers and babies the world over – and with the currently available diagnostics somewhat crude – it is encouraging to see a relatively large number of diagnostics being developed or refined for use to aid with clinical management or accompany new medicines and treatments as they emerge.