Agouti-related Peptide (AgRP) in Healthy Mothers and Mothers With Preeclampsia and Their Offspring

Inclusion Criteria: * For preeclampsia: * development of hypertension after the 20th week of pregnancy (systolic blood pressure, ≥140 mmHg; and/or diastolic blood pressure, ≥90 mmHg; measured at rest on two consecutive occasions at least 24 h apart) in previously normotensive women, and the onset of proteinuria (\>300 mg of urinary protein/L over 24 h) * single-fetus pregnancy * age range 18-35 y * no preconceptional history of hypertension * For mother with physiological pregnancies: * uncomplicated * spontaneous conception * single-fetus pregnancy * age range 18-35 y * spontaneous uncomplicated delivery * no history of preconceptional hypertension Exclusion Criteria: * For preeclampsia: * multiple pregnancy * preeclampsia superimposed to chronic hypertension preceding pregnancy * kidney disease * fetal malformations * For mothers with physiological pregnancies: * in vitro fertilization * fetal malformations * multiple pregnancy * events of bleeding