The Association between Dyslipidemia and Preterm Birth: A Prospective Cohort Study in The North of Iran

Abstract

Background: Dyslipidemia is recognized as an important factor in the incidence of Preterm Birth (PTB). The early diagnosis of factors affecting PTB is important in the reduction of maternalneonatal complications; therefore, we aimed to evaluate the association between dyslipidemia and PTB in women from the Guilan province of Iran. Method: The current investigation was a prospective cohort study on 378 pregnant women in Rasht city (Guilan province), during 2018-2019. Samples were randomly selected among pregnant women who referred to Al-Zahra hospital. Association of the lipid profiles: Total Cholesterol (TC), High- Density Lipoprotein (HDLC), Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDLC), and Triglycerides (TG) with PTB was assessed using the Chi-square, Fisher tests and logistic regression analysis. Results: Our findings showed that of the evaluated lipid profiles, TG and TC had the highest predictive power with AUC =0.833 (95٪, CI: 0.736-0.930) and 0.772 (95%, CI: 0.676-0.867), respectively; also, their sensitivity and specificity were 83.3%, 70.2% and 83.3%, 66.1%, respectively. Moreover, abnormal LDL concentrations increase the risk of PTB by two folds (P < 0.05). Conclusion: It seems that by controlling the lipid profiles of pregnant women, the risk of PTB could be reduced.

The association between pregnancy levels of blood lipids and the risk of preterm birth

“…The results showed that among the lipid profiles evaluated, the predictive power of TG for PTB had an AUC = 0.833 (95%, CI 0.736–0.930), respectively. In addition, abnormal LDL concentrations increased the risk of PTB by twofold (P < 0.05) 25 .…”

Maternal Hypercholesterolemia May Involve in Preterm Birth

“…Accumulation of cholesterol in macrophages can trigger pro-inflammatory signaling pathways ( 26 ). It is well-validated that pregnant women with hypercholesterolemia are associated with increased risk of PTB ( 2 , 3 , 32 ). Therefore, we hypothesize excessive cholesterol from the mother with hypercholesterolemia will be transported into the placenta and accumulate in macrophages, which will subsequently increase the inflammation, triggering PTB ( Figure 1 ).…”