Preeclampsia: Risk Factors, Diagnosis, Management, and the Cardiovascular Impact on the Offspring

Preeclampsia, a hypertensive disorder affecting 3–5% of pregnancies, poses significant risks to both mother and baby. Despite its global prevalence, predicting and preventing preeclampsia remains challenging due to limited accuracy of known risk factors and only moderately effective preventive therapies. This condition is a leading cause of maternal morbidity and contributes to serious fetal complications such as intrauterine growth restriction, preterm birth, and stillbirth. Guidelines for fetal surveillance vary widely, reflecting a lack of strong evidence on optimal assessment methods and timing. Current fetal management focuses on timely delivery and minimizing prematurity risks using corticosteroids and magnesium sulfate. Emerging data also link preeclampsia to long-term cardiovascular effects in offspring, including hypertension and vascular dysfunction.