First-trimester urinary glycolic acid and methylsuccinic acid measurement for preeclampsia prediction: A Systematic review protocol

Introduction

Preeclampsia is an important cause of maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality around the world, with hypertension on the rise in sub-Saharan Africa. First-trimester screening for preeclampsia is vital for guiding preventative therapies like low dose aspirin. Traditional biomarkers face accessibility barriers in low-resource settings. Urinary glycolic acid (GA) and methylsuccinic acid (MSA) have emerged as stable, cost-effective, non-invasive metabolic candidates. However, their prognostic value has not been systematically evaluated. This systematic review aims to evaluate the prognostic value of first trimester urinary glycolic acid and methylsuccinic acid for development of preeclampsia.