The clinical spectrum of preeclampsia

Preeclampsia is a heterogeneous syndrome with vastly different presentations in different women that is easily confused with other disorders. As our knowledge of pathogenesis increases the apparent heterogeneity will clarify. For example, the recognition of endothelial dysfunction and increased inflammatory activation as components of preeclampsia pathophysiology clarified many of the diverse features of the presentation of the disorder. We anticipate that the state-of-the-art knowledge presented in the following chapters will not only guide future research but will also inform clinical understanding and eventually care of preeclamptic women and their infants.