Preeclampsia is a systemic hypertensive disorder specific to pregnancy that involves multiple organ systems. It remains a significant cause of maternal morbidity and mortality in the United States and globally. Because the only resolution of preeclampsia is delivery of the placenta, the disease is also a leading causative factor in medically necessary preterm birth (Amaral, Wallace, Owens, & LaMarca, 2017). Because of the potential adverse effects of preeclampsia for women and newborns, preventing preeclampsia, especially among women at greatest risk, is an important component of prenatal care.
