Methods and kits for detecting misfolded proteins

A method of assessing a urine sample obtained from a pregnant woman, comprising:

• (a) combining a urine sample obtained from a pregnant woman with Congo Red, Thioflavin S, Thioflavin T, Evans Blue, Trypan blue, amino-8-napthalene sulfonate (ANS) or bis-azo ANS to form dye-labeled protein aggregates;
• (b) applying the urine sample that comprises the dye-labeled protein aggregates to a surface that has an affinity to proteins to produce a dye-stained surface to which dye-labeled protein aggregates are bound;
• and
• (c) assessing staining intensity of an area of the dye-stained surface, wherein assessment of the urine sample results in protein aggregate detection if the staining intensity is greater than a negative control sample or comparable to a positive control sample.