A comparative Study of Serum Lipid Levels in Pre- Eclamptic and Normotensive Pregnant Women in a Tertiary Hospital, Northwest Nigeria

Abstract

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.

Evaluation of maternal serum lipid profiles and clinical chemistry parameters in the prediction of pre-eclampsia in pregnant women attending ANC and delivery services

“…However, the results of the current study vary from other studies 23,53 . This minor difference may be due to the sample types (fasting and random blood samples) and the gestational age of the women.…”

“…In this study, the serum concentration of total cholesterol was signi cantly increased among cases than normal controls. This is in line with the studies reported in Ethiopia, India and Nigeria 20,23,49 . Although, the nding of this study was varied from the study conducted in Saudi Arabia 50 .…”

“…Supporting result was reported in the study conducted in Saudi Arabia 50 . But inconsistent results were reported from other studies 20,23,49 . This difference may be because of the sample size and gestational ages.…”

“…Different studies have been conducted on PE to develop simple diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic agents but many of them are unable to develop cost effective biomarkers for PE that are utilized by low and middle income countries. Likewise, some studies have been done to validate the implication of abnormal maternal serum lipid pro les and PE risk [20][21][22][23][24] . Besides, there are no such types of studies performed in our study population, there have been controversies regarding the association of serum lipid pro les and clinical chemistry parameters with PE 25,26 .…”

Comparison of mean Triglyceride levels in third trimester of Pregnancy in a Patients with and without Pre-Eclampsia

“…[6][7][8] Pre-eclampsia usually occurs in late second and third trimester affecting biochemical and metabolic processes in our body, hence contributing to fetal complications. [9][10][11][12] various arterial lesions are seen at the implantation site at uteroplacental level in patients of pre-eclampsia. These types of lesions are seen in acute atherosclerosis and they include areas of fibrinoid necrosis and macrophages which are lipid laden are encircling them.…”