Article ID: 2022-070
Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, especially preeclampsia, can cause severe damage to both mothers and children. Although the cause and pathogenesis of this disease had remained unknown for many years, recent evidence revealed that failed placentation is the primary cause of preeclampsia, and statistics to predict the onset of disease have been developed. Low dose aspirin is expected to prevent the onset of this disease, and various antihypertensive drugs, which had been previously regarded as contraindicated during pregnancy, are just approved for use in Japan. In contrast, lifelong follow up of women who have experienced hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, especially in Japan, is not yet fully functional. This review focuses on current knowledge on the pathogenesis of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and novelties regarding its prediction, prevention, and treatment, with a particular emphasis on the current situation in Japan.
