a) Background: Pre-eclampsia is one of the most common complications of pregnancy and a significant cause of morbidity and mortality for both the mother and the fetus, especially in developing countries. Despite considerable research, its cause or causes remain unclear.b) Objective: To determine any significant association between pre-eclampsia and lipid profile changes. c) Methodology: A prospective comparative cross-sectional study was carried out among 70 pre-eclamptic and 70 normotensive pregnant women from Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano. The control subjects were matched to each case for maternal age, gestational age and body mass index. A structured questionnaire was administered and relevant socio-demographic information was obtained. Clinical characteristics including blood pressure were measured and urinalysis performed. Fasting serum lipids were collected and analyzed for total cholesterol, triglyceride, very low density lipo-protein (VLDL), low density lipo-protein(LDL) and high density lipo-protein(HDL) d) Results: The study showed a significantly higher level of VLDL, LDL and triglyceride among the pre-eclamptic group compared to the normotensive (P< 0.001), while HDL was significantly decreased among the pre-eclamptic group in contrast to the normotensive (P = 0.028). There was statistically significant difference in all the lipid fractions in the 3rd trimester and a significant positive correlation of VLDL and triglyceride with pre-eclampsia (P= 0.019, P=0.020, respectively). e) Conclusion:This study showed that pre-eclampsia is associated with increased levels of VLDL and triglyceride and decreased levels of HDL and this is more evident in the 3rd trimester. This association may be important in understanding the pathologic processes of the disease and in developing strategies for its prevention and early diagnosis.

Objective (s): To determine the aetiological factors of preterm deliveries at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, Nigeria..Materials and methods: This case-control study was conducted between 1st June 2006 and 31st May 2007.One hundred and forty eight women with preterm deliveries (cases) were compared with seven hundred and forty women who delivered at term (control). Data analysis was done using Epi- Info software (6.0 CDC Atlanta Georgia, USA). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed and the results were expressed as odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI). The contribution of the risk factors were estimated using chi square test and a p-value of < 0.05 was taken as significant.Results: The period incidence of preterm deliveries was 69 per 1000 births. Unbooked and low socioeconomic statuses, primigravidity, previous preterm deliveries, multiple pregnancies, pre-eclampsia, and malaria in pregnancy were significant risk factors that were associated with preterm delivery. These associations were still demonstrable after adjusting for confounding variables.Conclusion: Early girl marriage and childbearing and spontaneous pre-labour rupture of membranes not to be independent risk factors in this study. Women with risk factors should be managed in specialist hospitals.Bangladesh J Obstet Gynaecol, 2014; Vol. 29(1) : 9-14

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