Branislav Murín, Štefan Lukačín
Preeclampsia remains one of the major obstetrical problems that has been the object of the intensive research more than one century. It has been the problem of both developed and developing countires. The aetiology of preeclampsia is unknown. Nowadays 4 hypotheses are the subject of extensive investigation: hypothesis of placental ischaemia, genetic hypothesis, immunologic hypothesis and hypothesis of the role of oxidative stress in preeclampsia. Studies over the past decade have provided better understanding of the potential mechanisms responsible for the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. The causes are still unknown, thus effective primary prevention is not possible at this stage. Research in the late years identified some major risk factors for preeclampsia, and manipulantion of these factors might result in decrease of its frequency.