Lipid profile changes in pregnancy induced hypertension

Abstract EN

We tested the hypothesis that the plasma lipid and lipoproteins concentrations are increased markedly in women with pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) relative to women with uncomplicated pregnancy and that these lipids decrease postpartum and to clarify the relation of lipid profile changes with the severity of pregnancy induced hypertension.

This study is a prospective, case-control study conducted at Basrah Maternity and Child Hospital extended through a period of 12 months from the first of August 2000 till the first of August 2001.

Pre-labor venous blood samples were collected for 90 women with pregnancy-induced hypertension and 110 women with normal uncomplicated pregnancy with an age range (16-40) years and gestational age range (34-42) weeks after 12 hours fasting.

Venous blood samples were also collected from only 30 women with PIH and 30 women with normal uncomplicated pregnancy after 24-48 hours postpartum.

Serum was analyzed for concentrations of triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C).

Pre-labor serum (TG), (TC), (LDL-C) and (VLDL-C) were increased in women with PIH relative to uncomplicated pregnancies respectively P value (<0.001).

(HDL-C) concentration does not differ between studied groups (P = 0.1).

Concentrations of all lipids decreased significantly (P value < 0.001) in both groups within the first 24-48 hours postpartum.

However the levels of these lipids remained higher in women with PIH but were statistically not significant.

Serum triglyceride and VLDL concentrations but not total cholesterol, HDL-C and LDL-C were significantly higher in severe PIH group in comparison with mild PIH.

There was no correlation between the age, parity and the lipid profiles changes in both groups.

There was a positive correlation between each of the (TG), (TC), (LDL-C) and (VLDL-C).

(HDL-C) does not correlate significantly with other different types of lipid.

In conclusion, plasma lipids and lipoproteins but not HDL-C are increased in PIH relative to normal pregnancy and hypertriglyceridemia found in severely PIH may contribute to endothelial dysfunction in PIH.