New developments in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia.

Preeclampsia affects 3% to 5% of all pregnancies and is a major cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality worldwide. This disorder is characterized by a constellation of signs and symptoms, most notably new-onset hypertension and proteinuria during the last trimester of pregnancy. In this review, the molecular mechanisms of preeclampsia with an emphasis on the role of circulating antiangiogenic proteins in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia and its complications will be discussed.