Preconceptional and Periconceptional Pathways to Preeclampsia

Chapter 4 entitled “Preconceptional and Periconceptional Pathways to Preeclampsia” is a new addition to Chesley’s Hypertensive Disorders in Pregnancy. The rationale for this chapter stems from the emerging evidence supporting the concept that the antecedents of preeclampsia may reside in the pre- and periconception periods and early pregnancy. Although there are undoubtedly multiple origins of preeclampsia in light of the heterogeneous nature of the syndrome, in the chapter’s debut, we first discuss the potential corpus luteal and endometrial origins of the disease. Then, we present evidence for maternal cardiovascular and metabolic antecedents, and finally, the potential contribution of nutritional factors to the genesis of preeclampsia.