Association between Abnormal Serum Lipid Levels in Early Pregnancy and Development of Preeclampsia

Accurate early biomarkers of oxidative stress, placenta perfusion and vascular resistance and endothelial platelet interaction for prediction of preeclampsia have not been shown to be beneficial for routine clinical use. The study of association between abnormal lipid levels in early pregnancy and preeclampsia is thus necessary in a bid to reduce the progression and severity of complications of preeclampsia.

To determine the association between abnormal lipid levels in early pregnancy and the development of preeclampsia.

A prospective longitudinal study involving 184 pregnant women with singleton pregnancy who met the inclusion criteria and recruited from the antenatal clinic at gestational age of < 20weeks. Their fasting blood samples were collected for the measurement serum lipid profile. They were monitored until delivery for the development of preeclampsia. The mean values of serum lipid profile were analyzed for association with pre-eclampsia using the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 21.0 and P value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Out of 184 participants, 3 had spontaneous miscarriage and were excluded while 5 were lost to follow up. This left a total of 176 participants who completed the study, 11 of which developed preeclampsia. There was a statistically significant increase in the levels of total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) in the preeclamptic group. The mean serum lipid levels were 4.8 mmol/L for total cholesterol, 1.87 mmol/L for total triglycerides, 1.3 mmol/L for high-density lipoprotein and 2.67 mmol/L for low-density lipoprotein. Age and parity also showed a causal association with development of preeclampsia.

There was an association between elevated serum total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein with development of preeclampsia later in pregnancy.