Analysis of risk factors in early pregnancy to predict pregnancy complications and complications in these women later in life

Despite intensive research there is still an increased maternal mortality over
the last decades, the maternal morbidity is unknown and perinatal death does
not decline. Pregnancy complications are complex diseases with an unknown
cause: interaction of both maternal and paternal genes and environmental
factors play an important role.
Preeclampsia is in The Netherlands the most common cause of maternal mortality.
Since its cause is unknown the only rational treatment is delivery of the
placenta and fetus with the result of preterm birth and high neonatal morbidity
and mortality. Preeclampsia is a multi-organ disease of pregnancy clinical
characterized by hypertension and proteinuria.

To gain insight in the etiology of preeclampsia before or in early pregnancy we
might reduce maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. In addition we
hypothesis that pregnancy can be considered as a stress test for diseases in
later life e.g. development of cardiovascular diseases.

This study is focused on determination of risk factors associated with
preeclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction, both develop in early
pregnancy. These pregnancy complications are associated with cardiovascular
diseases in later life. We will test the hypothesis that both diseases
(preeclampsia/ intrauterine growth restriction and cardiovascular diseases in
later life) share the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. With increased knowledge
of these diseases using pregnancy as a stress test we might prevent future
vascular damage and cardiovascular diseases.

All women attending the outpatient clinic for preconceptional counseling or
antenatal control (before 15 weeks gestation) will be asking to participate.
These pregnancies will be followed longitudinal.
Women who develop preeclampsia during pregnancy or intrauterine growth
restriction are followed clinically and identified as cases whereas women with
uncomplicated pregnancies will be identified as controls retrospectively. Data
from the rest (not a case or control) will be analyzed anonymously

There are no risk for the participants