A study of biochemical parameters in pregnant women in III trimester with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)

Abstract

Introduction and Aim: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the common causes of liver cirrhosis among general population.Studieshave identified NAFLD and evaluated lipid profile in pregnant women. Some have explored association that existed between lipid levels and adverse pregnancy outcome in western countries. Our aim was to find the prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in pregnant women among rural population in their III trimester and to assess dyslipidemia in these women.
 
 Materials and Methods: This is a prospective study conducted on 101 rural pregnant women coming for antenatal visits in their third trimester to Dept.,of Obstetrics and Gynaecology,PESIMSR, Kuppam.Liver scan was done during the regular obstetric scan to identify NAFLD. All pregnant women underwent lipid profile testing (Triglyceride,Total Cholesterol, HDL,LDL,VLDL).
 
 Results: There was a 1% prevalence of NAFLD among 101 rural expectant mothers.Lipid profile significantly (p<0.05)increased with increased BMI, parity and highly educated and fairly good socioeconomic background. Women with higher body mass index and triglyceride levels delivered babies with large birth weight(p<0.05).
 
 Conclusion: There are metabolic derangements in pregnant women leading to dyslipidemia even among those who did not have NAFLD. High parity women and those with high atherogenicity are at cardiovascular risk diseases in future. We suggest further studies to establish biological reference ranges for lipid profile during pregnancy. There is a need for, pregnant women to be assessed for dyslipidemia and screened for NAFLD by scanning liver along with routine obstetric scan in tertiary care centre.