ABSTRACT
To evaluate the utility of measuring different serum lipids in the second trimester of pregnancy for predicting pre-eclampsia in high risk patients. The study comprised 90 pregnant females with high risk of developing pre-eclampsia. Serum measurements of total cholesterol, HDL-C, LDL-C and triglycerides were taken between 18-24 weeks of gestation. Patients were followed up and divided into 2 groups accordingly. Group I [healthy patients], Group II [patients who develop pre-eclampsia]. Serum triglycerides showed a sensitivity of 100%, a specificity of 100%, a PPV of 100% and a NPV of 100% with a total accuracy of 100%. Total serum cholesterol showed a sensitivity of 88.1%, a specificity of 70.83%, a PPV of 72.55% and a NPV of 87.18% with a total accuracy of 78.89%. HLD-C showed a sensitivity of 74.19%, a specificity of 52.54%, a PPV of 45.1% and a NPV of 79.49% with a total accuracy of 60%. Moreover, LDL-C showed a sensitivity of 100%, a specificity of 44.32%, a PPV of 3.92% and a NPV of 100% with a total accuracy of 45.56% and finally TC/HDL ratio showed a sensitivity of 96.43%, a specificity of 61.29%, a PPV of 52.94% and a NPV of 97.44% with a total accuracy of 72.22%. According to the results of the study, the most accurate predictor for the prediction of pre-eclampsia, was the serum triglycerides level, while Total serum cholesterol and TC/HDL ratio came next in accuracy