Lipid profile changes in second trimester of pregnancy

The present study was carried out in the department of physiology, Mymensingh Medical College, Mymensingh, Bangladesh during the period of July 2006 to June 2007. The aim of the study was to investigate the changes in serum total cholesterol, triacylglycerol, HDL-cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol during the 2nd trimester of normal pregnancy. The serum concentrations of total cholesterol, triacylglycerol, HDL-cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol were measured in 50 cases during the second trimester of pregnancy and in a control group of 100 cases of non pregnant women, which was matched on reproductive age. Data were analyzed by computer with SPSS program using unpaired 't' test. The result showed that the pregnant women had significantly higher concentrations of serum total cholesterol, triacylglycerol and LDL cholesterol (p<0.001). But in case of HDL-cholesterol the mean concentration was slightly higher than control group though not statistically significant (p<0.079). Higher concentration of lipids and lipoproteins in second trimester of pregnancy may be a purely physiological response to pregnancy or it may be indicative of pathology in some women. These results warrant a follow up study to investigate whether the hyperlipidaemic response to pregnancy is variable and if so, whether it can predict future hyperlipidaemia in later life.