Lipid Profile Pattern of Pre-Eclamptic and Eclamptic Patients Attending University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital

Abstract

Background: Pre-eclampsia and Eclampsia are the most common complications of pregnancy. They are said to be the most common cause of fetal and maternal morbidity and mortality worldwide. These complications are the consequences of the effects of pregnancy on metabolic processes involving lipid and lipoproteins among others Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the pattern of lipid profile alterations in pregnant women with preeclampsia and eclampsia. Method: This is a cross-sectional study in which 100 subjects were recruited; 40 pre-eclamptic, 20eclamptic and 40 normotensive (Control group) pregnant women. Fasting serum lipid profile (Total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL - cholesterol and triglyceride of were determined. Result: Mean serum TG concentrations in pre-eclampsia (2.4 ± 0.9 vs 1.9 ± 0.6) and in eclampsia (2.8 ± 1.2 vs 1.9 ± 0.6) were significantly high when compared to normal control (p < 0.05). Mean Serum TC concentration (4.9 ± 1.3 vs 6.0 ± 2.1) and HDL-Cholesterol concentration (1.8±0.4 vs 3.0 ± 2.2) were significantly low in women with eclampsia when compared with control group (p<0.05). Conclusion: The result of the study showed that, although increased plasma lipid (hyperlipidaemia) is associated with normal pregnancy, this is exaggerated in both preeclampsia and eclampsia. The increase is also associated with severity of the disease.