Feto-maternal microchimerism: a cause of preeclampsia? The role of trophoblast in the prognosis of pregnancy complicated by preeclampsia

Abstract

Preeclampsia is one of the most important problems in obstetrics. Every year, preeclampsia affects 6–8% of pregnant women in developed countries and over 20% pregnant women in developing countries. It is noted that together with obstetric bleeding and infectious complications, preeclampsia constitutes the so-called «deadly triad» and is the cause of the overwhelming number of maternal deaths. The possibilities of treating preeclampsia are limited only to symptomatic therapy, and in the absence of the desired effect, the patient is offered delivery. To date, new, pathogenetically determined, methods of treatment aimed at inhibiting the activity of membrane-attacking molecules are being considered. This literature review provides information on the role of the trophoblast in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. The increase in the concentration of trophoblast cells in the mother’s blood leads to excessive activation of the complement system, which causes multiple endothelial damage, leading to multiple organ failure.