[Hyperlipidaemia in pregnancy]

We investigated the degree of pregnancy - induced hyperlipidaemia in normal and complicated pregnancies. Under the "stress of pregnancy" supraphysiologic increase in lipid and lipoprotein levels may delevop (similar to changes in carbohydrate metabolism).

Clinical study.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Regional Hospital Pardubice, Faculty of Health Studies, University of Pardubice.

Fasting plasma lipid and lipoprotein levels were studied in 26 healthy pregnant women, in 30 women with high risk pregnancy and in 30 nonpregnant healthy controls. The results were compared to reference values given in percentiles to find those exceeding the 95th percentile of the reference values for the third trimester.

Two subjects (3.6%) with supraphysiologic increase in plasma lipids in late pregnancy were identified among the 56 women studied. The details are reviewed in the study as well as the rare forms of extreme hyperlipoproteinaemia during pregnancy in women with pre-existing disorder of lipid metabolism.

The measurement of lipid and lipoprotein levels cannot be recommended in all pregnant women in late pregnancy. Hovewer, in subjects with family history of dyslipidaemia or premature atherosclerosis in the first - degree relatives and without hyperlipidaemia outside pregnancy, supraphysiologic increase in lipid and lipoprotein levels developed under the "stress of pregnancy" might indentify women at risk of dyslipidaemia in future life.