Maternal lipid levels in preeclampsia: singleton vs. twin pregnancies

To compare the maternal lipid levels in preeclampsia (PE) patients between singleton and twin pregnancies.

In this retrospective study, pregnant women with PE were divided into singleton group (n = 702) and twin group (n = 198). Serum lipids which include total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were measured and the TC/HDL-C ratio, TG/HDL-C ratio, and LDL-C/HDL-C ratio were calculated and compared between the two groups. Covariance analysis was used to correct the potential factors affecting serum lipid levels such as maternal age, pre-pregnancy body mass index, gestational weight gain, etc.

The levels of TC, TG, LDL-C, and TC/HDL-C ratio, TG/HDL-C ratio, LDL-C/HDL-C ratio in twin PE were significantly higher than those in singleton PE group, and there was no significant difference in the level of HDL-C between the two groups. In late-onset PE patients, the lipid levels of TC, TG, LDL-C, and TC/HDL-C ratio, TG/HDL-C ratio, LDL-C/HDL-C ratio in twin PE group were significantly higher than those in singleton PE group, with no significant difference in the level of HDL-C. However, in early-onset PE patients, there were no significant differences in the lipid levels between the two groups.

There were more obvious lipid disturbances such as higher levels of TC, TG, LDL-C, and TC/HDL-C ratio, TG/HDL-C ratio, LDL-C/HDL-C ratio in twin PE group than singleton PE group. The differences of lipid levels appeared mainly in late-onset PE group, while the lipid levels in twin PE group were similar to those in singleton PE group during pregnancy in early-onset PE group.