PhD Conferral Mrs. drs. Carmen A.H. Severens-Rijvers

Keywords: pregnancy, placental syndrome, preeclampsia, blood marker, placenta, vascular development

"PLACENTAL SYNDROME: early pregnancy adaptation and placental development"

Placental syndrome is an umbrella term for various serious pregnancy complications due to abnormal placenta formation, although the exact cause is unknown. It has been shown that these women are at an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease in later life. Well before the occurrence of clinical symptoms, abnormal placental development and circulation changes are shown in these women. The studies constituting this dissertation examine potentially abnormal blood markers during the first half of pregnancy in women who will eventually develop recurrent placental syndrome. These studies also highlight the importance of placental vascular development. The evaluated markers are not only indicative of cardiovascular disease, but also play an important role in placental vascular development. Although more insight into the pathophysiology and early detection of the disorder allow timely treatment, the only cure is birth of the child.