Section 7: - Risk factors, predictors, and future management

Summary

This review of epidemiological aspects of preeclampsia focuses on family data, with particular emphasis on the recurrence of preeclampsia within sibships and between generations. Preeclampsia has been a major cause of stillbirth and infant mortality. The great improvement related to stillbirth is clearly the result of induced early delivery of the most severe cases of preeclampsia. Usually, recurrence of preeclampsia is studied using data from two successive pregnancies, preferably the first and second pregnancy. Preeclampsia is related to increased risk of a perinatal death, and it is well documented that fertility subsequent to a perinatal death is increased. First birth and high maternal age are well known risk factors for preeclampsia. The relation between preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction is well established. In recent years the proportion of preeclampsia with preterm delivery has increased due to early induction of pregnancy.