“RCOG criteria” for diagnosing pre-eclampsia generally means RCOG-aligned definitions and guidance, noting that RCOG’s older Green-top guideline on severe pre-eclampsia/eclampsia is archived and points clinicians to NICE hypertension-in-pregnancy guidance for current recommendations. RCOG
Pre-eclampsia is a pregnancy-specific hypertensive disorder that usually develops after 20 weeks’ gestation (and can present intrapartum or postpartum). RCOG’s public and professional materials describe it as typically involving raised blood pressure plus proteinuria, but it can also involve maternal organ dysfunction (liver, kidney, clotting) even without protein in urine. RCOG+2RCOG+2
In “RCOG/NICE-aligned” terms, you consider:
- New-onset hypertension after 20 weeks (commonly ≥140/90 mmHg) confirmed appropriately, and
- Evidence of pre-eclampsia features, such as:
- Significant proteinuria (NICE: PCR ≥30 mg/mmol or ACR ≥8 mg/mmol; 24-hour collections are not routine) NICE+1
- Maternal organ dysfunction (e.g., renal/liver/haematologic involvement, pulmonary oedema, neurological symptoms)
- Uteroplacental dysfunction (e.g., fetal growth restriction/abnormal Dopplers)
Severity is often flagged by severe hypertension (≥160/110) and/or “severe features” (symptoms/lab abnormalities), prompting urgent escalation.
Pre-eclampsia Criteria Checker (RCOG/NICE-aligned)
Clinical decision support only. Follow local maternity pathways and escalate urgently for severe features or concern.
Inputs
Typically considered after 20 weeks (can present intrapartum/postpartum).
If postpartum, criteria can still apply even if GA field is blank/unknown.
Hypertension commonly ≥140 systolic; severe ≥160.
Hypertension commonly ≥90 diastolic; severe ≥110.
A single very high reading (≥160/110) should still trigger urgent action.
