The most important recent contribution to the literature on pre-eclampsia has been the publication of two large multicentre prospective double-blind studies on the prophylactic use of low-dose aspirin during pregnancy. The studies do not support the routine prophylactic use of aspirin in all women judged to be at risk of pre-eclampsia although women with early severe pre-eclampsia in a previous pregnancy should be seriously considered for treatment. Other aspects of pre-eclampsia/eclampsia and medical disorders in pregnancy are discussed.