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Assessment of serum lipid profile in early pregnancy and its relation with pre eclampsia: a prospective study

Background Pathophysiology of pre eclampsia and atherosclerosis seems to be similar as a hyperlipidemic state, due to hormonal changes in pregnancy. We tried to assess the relationship between maternal plasma lipid concentration and risk of developing pre eclampsia.

Methods This is a prospective cohort study, for a period of one year from August 2009 to August 2010. Total no of subjects (N=270) were divided into two groups: Control group:  who remained normotensive during study and Study group: who developed pre-eclampsia.

Results The mean level of cholesterol in study group was (226.74±39.77 mg/dl) significantly higher as compared to control group (164±22.48 mg/dl). That was statistically significant (p=0.001). Mean levels of cholesterol in mild PET group was 216±28.90mg/dl and in severe PET group was 252.3±50.63 mg/dl respectively, that was also significantly higher as compared to control group (p=0.001). In our study mean levels of Triglyceride was 153.95±23.52 mg/dl in control group and 205.25±42.48 mg/dl in study group. There were statistically significant difference between the groups (p=0.001). In mild PET mean value of Triglyceride was 198.99±36.12 mg/dl and in severe PET it was 220.35± 53.13mg/dl. It was seen that both the study group had significantly higher mean value as compared to control group (p=0.001).

Conclusions In present study we have observed that maternal dyslipidemia in early second trimester is associated with increased risk of developing pre eclampsia. So dyslipidemia in early second trimester is a very good predictor of pre eclampsia.