Vascular and renal adjustments during and after preeclampsia

Physiological changes of the female body are important to support a pregnancy and stimulate growth of the child. Preeclampsia is a vascular disease occurring during pregnancy which has a major impact on mother and child. This disease is characterised by hypertension and kidney damage. The liver and coagulation system are often involved as well. This dissertation focusses on cardiac, vascular and renal adjustments both during and after pregnancy. It provides more insight into long-term effects of preeclampsia. A number of women who suffered preeclampsia have persistently impaired renal function. Therefore, attention should be paid to the renal function after preeclampsia. However, vascular function does not appear to be directly associated with the increased risk of cardiovascular disease these women have in later life compared to women with normal pregnancies. More attention should be paid to the adjustments of the body during pregnancy, because the information gained from this may help reduce health risks both during and after pregnancy.