Background and objective: Pre-eclampsia and eclampsia are claimed to be associated with disturbances in lipid profile. The purpose of this study was to determine any significant association between pre-eclampsia/eclampsia with lipid profile disturbances. Methods: This prospective study evaluated lipid profile in the second half of pregnancy in 38 pre-eclamptic, 21 ecalmptic woman and compared to 41 age matched healthy pregnant women served as a control for the period of February 2010 -January 2011. Results: Pre-eclamptic women showed a significant increase in the mean serum cholesterol concentration (243.9 mg/dL) during the second trimester when compared with the healthy pregnant controls (212.9 mg/dL), eclamptic women had even a significant higher cholesterol level at a mean of (288.1 mg/dL). Triglyceride level significantly increased in pre-eclamptic (281.7 mg/dL) and eclamptic women (307.4 mg/dL) compared to healthy pregnant control (207.5 mg/dL). LDL level also showed significant increase in pre-eclamtic {143.7 mg/dL} and eclamptic cases (156.5 mg/dL). HDL level though was decreased in pre-eclamptic {41.5 mg/dL} and eclamptic (40.8 mg/dL) but these changes were not significant. Conclusion: Pre-eclampsia and eclampsia are associated with dyslipidemia. This association may be significant in understanding the pathologic processes of preeclampsia and may help in developing strategies for prevention or early diagnosis of the disorder.

Background and objectives: Normal pregnancy is associated with disturbances in various biochemical values .The purpose of this study was to determine whether normal pregnancy is associated with any abnormalities of lipid profile . Methods: This prospective study evaluated lipid profile in 45 primigravid women during normal gestation (in the first & third trimester) and in 30 non-pregnant age matched controls for the period of December 2008 -May 2009 . Results: Pregnant women exhibit a significant increase in mean serum cholesterol concentration 226.5 (S.D.42.2) mg/dL in the first trimester when compared with non-pregnant controls 167.9 (27.7) mg/Dl. The serum cholesterol increased significantly throughout gestation to a mean of 316.6 (54.8) mg/dL in the third trimester compared with the first trimester. Triglyceride panel in the first trimester had been similar to those of controls. However, by the third trimester the mean triglyceride concentration had revealed a double value of 227.7 (47.4) mg/dL; compared with the first trimester. There was no significant difference in the LDL level in first trimester when compared to control group. Nevertheless, it increased significantly, from 93.6 (11.9) mg/dL during the first trimester to 178.6 (18.5) mg/ dL in the third trimester . Conclusion: Atherogenic lipid profile develops during normal gestation. The future significance of these changes remains to be determined. They may have important implications for the mother and fetus .

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