A Comparative Study of Serum Lipid Levels in Pregnant Normotensive and Pre-eclamptic Women in Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital Lafia, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Pre-eclampsia is associated with significant maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity. Increased oxidative stress due  to endothelial dysfunction in pre-eclampsia has been linked with lipid abnormality. This study compared the fasting serum lipid levels in  pre-eclamptic and normotensive pregnant women.

Methodology: A case-control study in which venous blood samples (5mls) were collected from 50 consenting pregnant healthy  normotensive women and 50 women with pre-eclampsia accessing care at the hospital. Study participants were matched for maternal  age, parity, and gestational age after 8-12 hours of fasting. The fasting serum levels of total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL- C), very lowdensity lipoprotein (VLDL-C), high-density lipoprotein (HDL-C) and triglycerides (TGs) of the participants were evaluated using  standard enzymatic methods.

Result: Of the 50 pre-eclamptic and 50 pregnant normotensive women who participated in the study, the mean maternal age was  24.92±4.38 and 24.90±4.27 years respectively (p=0.98). There were statistically significant higher mean levels of TC, triglycerides, and  VLDL-C among women with pre-eclampsia compared to normotensive pregnant women (p<0.001, p<0.001, p=0.007 respectively). The  mean HDL-C level was significantly reduced among women with pre-eclampsia compared to controls (p<0.001). However, there was no  statistically significant difference in the mean serum level of LDL-C in both groups (p=0.068). The serum lipid profile did not significantly  change with the severity of preeclampsia.

Conclusion: Women with pre-eclampsia have increased serum levels of TC, triglycerides, and  VLDL-C and decreased levels of HDL-C compared to normotensive pregnant women. However, the lipid profile of women with severe pre- eclampsia did not differ significantly from those with mild pre-eclampsia.