Effects of Maternal Dyslipidemia on Maternal and Perinatal Outcomes in Enugu, Southeast Nigeria: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Background: Maternal dyslipidemia is one of the consistent metabolic changes during pregnancy. There is a controversy as to whether maternal lipid disturbances in early pregnancy are associated with adverse maternal and perinatal outcome.

Aim: To determine the effects of maternal dyslipidemia on maternal and perinatal outcomes.

Methods: A prospective observational cohort study of eligible pregnant women attending antenatal clinic (ANC) at two tertiary hospitals in Southeast Nigeria. The attendees blood samples were collected for lipid profile analysis and those who met the criteria for dyslipidemia constituted the study (exposed) group, while those with normal lipid levels were the control (unexposed group). Both groups were followed up throughout pregnancy and in labor to determine the pregnancy and perinatal outcomes.

Results: Compared with pregnant women with normal lipid profile, those with dyslipidemia were at higher risk of low birth weight (LBW) (RR: 9.40, CI 95%: 1.3-70.2, P = 0.005), intrauterine fetal death (IUFD) (RR: 5.98; 95% CI: 0.8-46.9; P = 0.04), still birth (RR: 6.84, CI 95%: 8.9-52.7, P = 0.03), and birth asphyxia (RR: 10.26, CI 95%:1.4-76.0, P = 0.003).

Conclusion: Maternal dyslipidemia is associated with some adverse perinatal outcomes such as LBW, IUFD, still birth, and birth asphyxia. These findings would guide in the care of pregnant women with dyslipidemia.