Keypoints: Preeclampsia (PE) is an important cause of maternal and perinatal mortality worldwide, accounts for 10% to 15% of direct maternal deaths, and 99% of these deaths are in low-income countries. Preeclampsia is defined as systolic blood pressure of ≥140 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure of ≥90 mmHg on at least two occasions, measured four hours apart in previously normotensive women, and is accompanied by one or more of the following new-onset conditions after 20 weeks' gestation: (1) proteinuria, (2) evidence of other maternal organ dysfunction, or (3) uteroplacental dysfunction. Preeclampsia is classified into: (1) early PE (delivery < 34+0 weeks' gestation); (2) preterm PE (delivery < 37+0 weeks' gestation); (3) late-onset PE (delivery ≥ 34+0 weeks' gestation); (4) term PE (delivery ≥ 37+0 weeks' gestation). In Brazil, the incidence of PE varies from 1.5% to 7%; of preterm PE is 2% and of eclampsia is 0.6%. However, these statistics are likely to be underestimated and vary according to the region studied. Screening strategies for PE vary depending on the parameters used, pre-test risk, outcome stratification, and the gestational age at which screening is performed. However, there is consensus in the literature that no single-parameter screening test has been shown to adjust the preexisting maternal risk for PE with sufficient specificity and sensitivity for clinical use.