Lipid Profile in Normal Pregnancy and in Pregnancy Induced Hypertension
Loading...
Date
2018
Authors
Mweu, Shadrack Muindu
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
Hypertensive disease in pregnancy (HDP) is a major cause of morbidity for both mother
and fetus. Currently HDP is diagnosed by elevated blood pressure (BP) 2:1-.10/90 mmHg
and end organ damage including proteinuria both of which can occur due to preexisting
conditions. The potential to lower lipids could help to reduce the maternal mortality and
complications associated with HDP. The objective of the study was to determine and
SQ!1lP.lll"..e the changes in li id profile in ~e~_and nQIDJalpregnancies during the
third trimester of pre~cy. The effects of parity and maternal age on the lipid profiles
of cases of HDP were also evaluated. This was a matched case control study comprising
of 85 cases with an equal number of controls matched on maternal age, gestational age
and parity of the cases. Fasting blood samples were collected from the participants by
venipuncture and allowed to clot to obtain serum which was analysed for TC, TG and
HDL-C using enzymatic and spectrophotometric methods in an auto analyzer. The
serum LDL-C level was calculated using the Friedewald's formula. Three of the four
parameters TC, TG and LDL-C were statistically significantly different between
hypertensive cases and normotensive controls (p<0.05). In contrast there was no
statistically significant difference for HDL-C between the hypertensive and control
groups (p = 0.11). The mean value of the ratio of TC to HDL-C in the cases was 4.52 ±
2.21 while the mean value for controls was 3.59 ± 0.68 showing statistically significant
value, t = 4.07, P = 0.0001. The mean serum levels of TC, TG, HDL-C and LDL-C
were not statistically significant when one-way ANOV A and post-ANOV A was
performed on cases of varying categories of HDP. Pearson correlation analysis results
showed that parity and maternal age do not influence the lipid profiles of cases of
hypertensive disease in pregnancy. This study observed that the serum levels of TC, TG
and LDL-C are elevated in hypertensive pregnant women relative to normotensive
pregnant women. This study recommends that fasting lipid profile test should be
considered as a screening test for HDP in addition to the testing for proteins in urine.
The management of HDP should not only focus on lowering blood pressure but also in
lowering the circulating levels ofTC, TG and LDL-C.
Description
A Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Award of the Degree of Master of Science (Medical Biochemistry in the School of Pure and Applied Sciences of Kenyatta University