Abstract :
Introduction: Physiological changes in lipid metabolism observed during pregnancy is exaggerated in
preeclampsia (PE). The latest recommendations of European and American Cardiological Associations
and National Cholesterol Education Program Adult treatment panel III (NCEP ATP III), emphasize the
role of non-High-Density Lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) in evaluating the risk of atherogenesis, as
a marker of dyslipidemia, especially in presence of hypertriglyceridemia. The aim of this study was to
measure non-HDL-C to assess dyslipidemia in PE, a state of hypertriglyceridemia.
Materials and Methods: Study was conducted on fifty preeclamptic women and fifty age matched
apparently healthy pregnant women attending the Antenatal clinic in Department of Obstetrics and
Gynecology, Rajarajeswari Medical College and Hospital. Lipid profile was estimated in Erba auto
analyzer EM 360 by enzymatic method and Non-HDL-C was calculated by subtracting HDL-C from Total
cholesterol (TC).
Results: Hypertriglyceridemia was observed in both the groups. Serum non-HDL-C level was
161.7644.74 mg/dl and 143.7521.80 mg/dl in cases and controls respectively. Non-HDL-C was
increased moderately (p
compared to controls. Despite of normal LDL-C, High non-HDL-C was observed in five preeclamptic
women (12%).
Conclusion: Dyslipidemia is observed in PE which results in atherogenesis and endothelial dysfunction.
Non-HDL-C predicts dyslipidemia better than LDL-C in PE. The health of the mother and her fetus
are intertwined, hence the non-HDL-C should be recommended to be a part of routine investigation
during pregnancy, to institute prompt management strategies to prevent deleterious effects of dyslipidemia
associated with PE.
Keyword :
Atherogenesis, Dyslipidemia, Lipid profile, Non-HDL-C, Preeclampsia.