Pre-eclampsia is a multisystem disorder that complicates 3%–8% of pregnancies in Western countries and constitutes a major source of morbidity and mortality worldwide.3,4 Overall, 10%–15% of maternal deaths are directly associated with pre- eclampsia and eclampsia.4 Some epidemiological findings support the hypothesis of a genetic and immunological etiology. The risk of pre-eclampsia is 2-fold to 5-fold higher in pregnant women with a maternal history of this disorder. Depending on ethnicity, the incidence of pre-eclampsia ranges from 3% to 7% in healthy nulliparas and 1% to 3% in multiparas. Moreover, nulliparity and a new partner have been shown to be important risk factors (Table 1).