Épidémiologie

In France, the incidence of PE is estimated to range between 1 and 3% in the nuliparous and between 0.5 and 1.5% in the multiparous women. Factors associated with the development of PE are ofvarious types. Studies conducted on families affected by PE suggest the existence of a genetic component to the disease, even though the association between PE and certain genes, allotypes and polymorphisms are still under scrutiny. The hypotheses suggesting an immunological mechanism is supported by several arguments. Indeed, being nuliparous, changing partner, insemination with donor semen are factors associated with the development of PE whereas pre-exposition to the father's sperm bears protection.