Objective: Pre-eclampsia (PE) is a significant contributor to adverse maternal and perinatal outcome; however, accurate prediction and early diagnosis of this condition remain a challenge. The aim of this study was to compare serum levels of growth-differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15) at three different gestational ages between asymptomatic women who subsequently developed preterm or term PE and healthy controls. Methods: This was a case–control study drawn from a prospective observational study on adverse pregnancy outcomes in women attending for their routine second- and third-trimester hospital visits. Serum GDF-15 was determined in 300 samples using a commercial GDF-15 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay: 120 samples at 19–24 weeks of gestation, 120 samples at 30–34 weeks and 60 samples at 35–37 weeks. Multiple linear regression was applied to logarithmically transformed GDF-15 control values to evaluate the influence of gestational age at blood sampling and maternal characteristics on GDF-15 results. GDF-15 multiples of the normal median (MoM) values, adjusted for gestational age and maternal characteristics, were compared between pregnancies that subsequently developed preterm or term PE and healthy controls. Results: Values of GDF-15 increased with gestational age. There were no significant differences in GDF-15 MoM values between cases of preterm or term PE and normotensive pregnancies at 19–24 or 35–37 weeks of gestation. At 30–34 weeks, GDF-15 MoM values were significantly increased in cases of preterm PE, but not in those who later developed term PE. Elevated GDF-15 MoM values were associated significantly with a shorter interval between sampling at 30–34 weeks and delivery with PE (P = 0.005). Conclusion: Serum GDF-15 levels at 19–24 or 35–37 weeks of gestation are not predictive of preterm or term PE. At 30–34 weeks, GDF-15 levels are higher in women who subsequently develop preterm PE; however, this difference is small and GDF-15 is unlikely to be useful in clinical practice when used in isolation. Copyright © 2020 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.