Lipid profile and pregnancy associated pathologies

Throughout pregnancy, maternal lipid metabolism changes substantially, all of which can be seen by analysing the lipid profile. Determination of serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels may have a predictive role in the subsequent development of pregnancyspecific pathologies such as preeclampsia, intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy and gestational diabetes. Also, disorders present in the lipid profile may influence the weight of the newborn at birth. Early dyslipidaemia during pregnancy, manifested by elevated triglycerides and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol serum levels, has been associated with the development of preeclampsia. In laboratory tests, pregnant women diagnosed with intrahepatic cholestasis have significantly higher plasma triglycerides levels and reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations compared to healthy pregnant women. In case of foetal intrauterine growth restriction in the newborn, literature data report significantly increased triglycerides levels. Women who during pregnancy developed gestational diabetes had higher plasma triglycerides levels and lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, with no statistically significant difference between serum triglycerides or high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels.