Abstract: Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) is an important intracellular transcription factor, which regulates the expression of many genes including inflammation and apoptosis and is widely distributed in placenta. In this review, we introduced the relationship between placental NF-κB and pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia, HELLP syndromne and premature rupture of membranes. The role of placental NF-κB in the development of the pregnancy complications and the progress of the treatment of related diseases through the NF-κB pathway was summarized. This review will lay the foundation for the further study of placental related diseases and provide new ideas for the diagnosis and treatment of pregnancy complications.

Key words: placenta, nuclear factor kappa B, pregnancy complications