Assessment of Lipid Profile Parameters among Gravid Women in a Tertiary Health Institution, Southwest Nigeria

Abstract

Introduction: Plasma lipid concentrations increase markedly during pregnancy due to estrogen stimulation and insulin resistance. This study aimed to assess the lipid profile parameters in apparently normal pregnant women.

Methods: The study was a comparative cross sectional study carried out among ninety-six consecutive pregnant women in all trimesters of pregnancy. Participants were selected by simple random technique during the antenatal clinic days with informed consent. Clinical assessments including weight, height and body mass index (BMI) were determined. 5mls blood specimens was collected for the fasting lipid profile into lithium heparin sample bottles and plasma was separated into a plain bottle and frozen at -20^oC until assay time.  Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20.

Results: The mean total cholesterol (6.26 ± 1.44 vs. 4.44 ± 1.01 mmol/L, P=0.001), LDL-c (4.54 ± 1.40 vs. 3.21 ± 0.87 mmol/L, p=0.010) and Triglycerides (1.26 ± 0.47 vs. 0.52 ± 0.27 mmol/L, p<0.001) were significantly higher during pregnancy. The total cholesterol and LDL-c were highest in the third trimester while the increase in triglycerides was more in the first trimester with only a modest increase in the second and third trimesters.

Conclusion: All the lipid profile parameters were higher in pregnant women but with different patterns.