STATUS OF LIPID PROFILE IN PREGNANCY

Abstract

Pregnancy greatly increases demand for metabolic fuels that are needed for growth and development of the fetus and its support structures. The total gestation related energy cost has been estimated at approximately 83000 kcal. The major change in energy expenditure and in the accumulation of fat occurs at different times during pregnancy. In the current study a serial study of serum lipids was performed in a group of women throughout gestation and six weeks post partum while they were having their usual diet and unrestricted daily activity. The control group consisted of non pregnant healthy women of child bearing age. Data was analyzed by SPSS software. All lipid fractions underwent a gradual and persistent rise throughout pregnancy with the exception of HDL-C i.e. a progressive rise was observed in serum total cholesterol, serum triglyceride, serum VLDL and LDL-C as pregnancy advances, while serum HDL-C showed a biphasic pattern, as initial rise and then decline in later third of pregnancy. However, during early pregnancy the values of all lipid fractions do not differ significantly from those for normal non pregnant controls. No significant difference was observed in vegetarian and non-vegetarian group in any of the lipid fractions in different trimester of pregnancy—so diet had no significant influence on lipid synthesis during pregnancy.