NORMAL SERUM LIPID PROFILE OF HEALTHY PREGNANT WOMEN ATTENDING ANTENATAL CLINIC OF UNIVERSITY OF MAIDUGURI TEACHING HOSPITAL, MAIDUGURI NIGERIA

Abstract

Pregnancy is associated with marked physiological hyperlipidaemia. But hyperlipidaemia is said to complicate about 7% of all pregnancies; which may cause severe maternal diseases and premature birth. Objective: To determine serum lipid profile and the lipid level variations between pregnancy trimesters among healthy pregnant women attending antenatal care at UMTH. Method: A cross-sectional descriptive survey of healthy pregnant women attending antenatal care at UMTH. Results: There was increase in all lipid fractions in pregnancy compared to non-pregnant state, progressive increase in HDL-C was seen as the pregnancy progresses, but with no significant difference between 2nd and 3rd trimesters. The serum levels of total cholesterol and HDL-C were significantly increased in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that pregnancy is associated with hyperlipidaemia. But the stage of pregnancy and the levels of serum lipid fractions at which pregnancy complications will begin to occur is yet to be determined and therefore further comprehensive and controlled studies are required to establish this

Keywords

• serum lipids
• pregnancy
• trimester
• north-eastern nigeria