Different failures of placentation lead to preeclampsia or intrauterine growth retardation – a new concept

Aims: Some years ago it has been demonstrated that during the first trimester of pregnancy there is no flow of maternal blood cells into the intervillous space of the placenta. Only at the end of the first trimester the plugs of extravillous trophoblasts blocking spiral arteries are dislocated and open the flow of maternal blood towards the placenta. Only then higher oxygen levels can be detected in the placenta. In parallel, the last few years have witnessed an enormous increase in the knowledge of serum markers for preeclampsia, especially those showing significant alterations in their concentrations as early…