Genetic background of preeclampsia

Abstract

Population studies have been suggesting genetic predisposition to the appearance of preeclampsia (PE) for a considerable period of time now. In familial occurrence of the disease higher frequency of preeclampsia has been observed in mothers, daughters and sisters of women burned of this poor medical history and higher risk to severe PE development. Although a single gene may contribute to the development of the patomechanizm of PE, most authors focus on the analysis of the common influence of candidate genes which are involved in a series of pathophysiological processes of PE. Thus, PE is often believed to be the final phenotype (increase of blood pressure and multiorgan complications development), being the result of intermediate phenotypes acting at the same time and being modulated by environmental factors. PE belongs to the complex human disease. The results of the findings connected with the contribution of maternal, paternal and fetal genotypes in PE development remain unclear, though a stronger influence of maternal genes, with a weaker influence of those transferred from the father, may be observed . Despite the existing divergences (the findings on the genetic background of PE are in conflict, no doubt due to the population differences and small number of investigated groups), the results obtained so far stress the necessity to discover the genetic risk factors as it may do both: facilitate the identification of groups of women predisposed to preeclampsia and allow for an early prophylactic administration.