A TERTIARY CARE CENTRE BASED STUDY ON SERUM LIPID LEVELS IN HEALTHY NON-PREGNANT WOMEN, NORMAL PREGNANCY AND IN PREECLAMPSIA

BACKGROUND Preeclampsia is more prevalent in the first pregnancy and is associated with very high maternal and foetal morbidity and mortality. Although, the exact cause of preeclampsia is still unknown, the basic pathology lies in the endothelial cell dysfunction and intense vasospasm. Dyslipidaemia is believed to play a key role in altering the microenvironment around endothelium. So, the objective is to study the serum lipid levels in healthy non-pregnant women, normal pregnancy and in preeclampsia. MATERIALS AND METHODS Fasting serum lipid levels were estimated in 40 healthy non-pregnant women (Group-1), 40 normotensive primigravida (Group-2) and in 40 preeclamptic primigravida in their third trimester (Group-3). Serum lipid levels were estimated using fully automated analyser. Data was analysed using SPSS Version 18 software. P value < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. RESULTS Compared with normal pregnancy, in preeclampsia, the level of serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, VLDL and LDL were significantly increased and HDL was decreased significantly. In normal pregnant women, serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, VLDL and LDL levels were significantly high compared to healthy non-pregnant women. CONCLUSION Dyslipidaemia in pregnancy may be associated with increased risk of developing preeclampsia. Screening of the above parameters may help in developing strategies for prevention and better management of preeclampsia.