[Preeclampsia - a life-time risk for the mother]

Preeclampsia is a pregnancy-induced disease associated with considerable maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. While delivery usually results in a complete healing there is growing evidence that preeclampsia is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular and metabolic diseases in later life of these mothers. Especially early-onset, severity and number of deliveries with preeclampsia are relevant risk-factors. Preeclampsia itself could play a causative role or may just be a transient early symptom. An increasing understanding of these correlations is of major importance concerning health prevention and early detection of diseases in these young women.