Title:A Nested Case-Control Study of Serum Fasting Lipid Profiles in Pre- Eclamptic Primigravidas in Ile-Ife, Nigeria
Volume: 17
Issue: 3
Author(s): Oluwadare E. Adepetu, Temitope O. Okunola*, Busola M. Adepetu, Tewogbade A. Adedeji, Olabisi M. Loto and Ernest O. Orji
Affiliation:
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Ekiti, State University, Ado-Ekiti,Nigeria
Keywords:
Pre-eclampsia, primigravida, serum lipid profile, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein.
Abstract:
Background: Pre-eclampsia contributes significantly to both maternal and perinatal morbidities
and mortalities. One of the identified pathophysiologies of pre-eclampsia is the deranged
serum lipid profile of which some components have been found to be elevated early in pregnancy
in women destined to develop pre-eclampsia.
Objectives: To compare the serum fasting lipid profiles of pre-eclamptic primigravidas with normal
primigravidas at week 20, 28, and 34.
Methods: We conducted a nested case-control study at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife between
November 2016 and April 2018. A cohort of 290 primigravidas was recruited at week 20
and followed up until delivery. Serum fasting lipid profiles were quantified at weeks 20, 28 and 34
for all participants. Twenty four women that developed pre-eclampsia were compared with 48 women
that had a normal pregnancy. Data were analyzed with SPSS version 22. We used a linear
mixed-effect regression model with random intercept and slope. Significance was established using
p<0.05.
Results: Serum lipid profiles showed an average weekly increase in both groups. Primigravidas
that developed pre-eclampsia had a weekly increase of 0.2(SE0.14) mmol/l in serum total cholesterol
more than those with normal pregnancies. (p<0.001) Serum low-density lipoprotein also
showed a differential weekly increase of 0.1(SE0.05)mmol/l in primigravidas that developed pre-eclampsia
over primigravidas with normal pregnancies. (p<0.001).
Conclusion: The average weekly increase in serum total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein
was significantly higher in primigravidas that developed pre-eclampsia when compared to the control
group. These findings depicted an association between serum lipid profile and pre-eclampsia
among the primigravidas.
