The serum IgE concentrations and the occurrence of autoantibodies were measured in 20 women with preeclampsia and in 17 women with normal pregnancy. All women studied were primigravid and matched according to the age and the duration of pregnancy. The serum IgE concentration was higher in pre-eclampsia. Antinuclear and antimitochondrial antibodies were found only occasionally, whereas smooth muscle antibodies were found in preeclamptic women more often than in normal pregnancy. These results are in agreement with the findings of disturbed immune function in pre-eclampsia, but do not clarify the etiology of this disorder.