Serum lipid profiles of a population of pregnant women in Borno State, Nigeria

Abstract

The serum lipid profiles of 269 pregnant women in North-eastern Nigeria were studied. Thirty-four apparently healthy non-pregnant women were used as control subjects. The results of the study show a significant increase in total cholesterol, triacylglycerol, low density lipoprotein and phospholipid levels of pregnant women relative to those of the control. While serum phospholipid showed a linear increase from the first trimester of pregnancy to the third, serum total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein each peaked at the second trimester. The mean serum high density lipoprotein level of pregnant women at second trimester, 0.92 0.06mmol/l was significantly lower than that of control subjects which was 1.43 0.10mmol/l. Changes in lipid metabolism during pregnancy are physiological and may be related to increased metabolic rate and the need to prepare the would-be mother for lactation.

Key Words: Serum lipids, pregnancy, North-eastern Nigeria.


(Global Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences: 2002 8(3): 315-318)