NICHD Highlights Preeclampsia Research

As a follow-up to May as National Preeclampsia Awareness Month, the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) highlighted some of its research on preeclampsia. The NICHD spotlight described some of the Institute's specific studies on the risk factors for preeclampsia, including studies on reducing risk.

Some efforts to understand preeclampsia focus on risk factors and causes (or mechanisms). Understanding the "how" and the "why" of the condition could provide effective ways to prevent it from occurring or to slow its progress. Evidence shows that certain factors, such as pre-pregnancy obesity or a first pregnancy, put women at higher risk for the condition.