Blood glucose and serum lipid profiles during pregnancy

ABSTRACT

Pregnancy is associated with significant changes in the functions of the normal liver and understanding these changes is essential to a proper clinical evaluation of liver abnormalities during pregnancy. This study aimed at determining blood glucose level, triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), total cholesterol (TC), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) in the three trimesters of pregnancy among women in Benin City, Nigeria. This was a prospective cohort study, in which 50 blood samples were collected at each mid trimester of pregnancy. Controls were age-matched, non-pregnant women. Data were analysed using ANOVA and p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. The results showed that glucose concentration was significantly higher in pregnant women than the control group, and it was highest in the third trimester of pregnancy. Lipid profile results showed that TG was significantly lower in the control group than in pregnant women. TG was highest in first trimester pregnancy and least in the control group. HDL was significantly lower in the first trimester than in the control group, second or third trimester. Delayed TG clearance is a function of increased blood TG levels and when this occurs with high blood pressure in pregnancy, it could lead to the development of pre-eclampsia. This association may be significant in understanding the process of pre-eclampsia and may help in developing strategies for prevention and early diagnosis of pre-eclampsia