title: A pre-conception cohort to study preeclampsia in China: Rationale, study design, and preliminary results.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  It is uncertain whether preeclampsia (PE) is caused by pre-existing factors or by pregnancy itself. We want to answer this important question in public health by conducting a large pre-conception cohort in China.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective and pre-conception cohort study with a target recruitment of 5000 couples who plan to have a baby within 6 months was performed and their conception, delivery, and postpartum were followed up in Liuyang county, Hunan Province of P. R. China.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 1915 young couples have been recruited into this unique pre-conception cohort till now. In general, both systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure decreased in early second trimester from pre-conception level but increased in third trimester and at delivery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The proposed pre-conception cohort study will have important theoretical and practical implications on the prevention of PE and its associated cardiovascular disease risks.
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha 410078, China. swwen@ohri.ca
authors.forename: Shiwu
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wen
authors.forename: Hongzhuan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.forename: Rihua
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Xie
authors.forename: Graeme N
authors.initials: GN
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Walker
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology*; D002681:China; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D011247:Pregnancy; D011249:Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D011446:Prospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult