Comparison of plasma lipid and lipoprotein concentrations in normal and intrauterine growth restriction pregnancies

Bae, Jin Gon; Park, Jun Chul; Rhee, Jung Ho; Kim, Jong In

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
The effects of fetal growth of lipid metabolism in pregnancy are not well understood at present. The aim of this study was to perform a cross sectional study of lipid and lipidprotein concentrations in the 3rd trimester, from normal pregnancies and those complicated by intrauterine growth restriction pregnancies (IUGR) without preeclampsia.
METHODS
Fasting blood samples for lipid and lipidprotein fractions were taken 3rd trimester. from fourty two women with IUGR; fourty five women with uncomplicated pregnancies matched as a group for age, parity, gestational age and fetal body weight.
RESULTS
Total cholesterol (6.74+/-1.14 mmol/L vs 4.23+/-1.03 mmol/L, P<0.01), triglyceride 2.10+/-0.95 mmol/L vs 2.42+/-0.73 mmol/L. P<0.05) and LDL (3.41+/-0.83 mmol/L vs 4.23+/-1.07 mmol/L, P<0.01) concentrations were significantly lower in the IUGR group than in normal group. Free fatty acid (0.8+/-0.21 mmol/L vs 0.5+/-0.01 mmol/L, P<0.01) concentration, ApoB/ApoA ratio (0.86+/-0.42 vs 0.77+/-0.47, P<0.01). HDL/ApoA (0.87+/-0.1 vs 0.72+/-0.05, P<0.05) ratio were significantly higher in the IUGR group than in normal group. There were no difference in other lipids.
CONCLUSION
The results of this study suggest that LDL levels, which normally increase in uncomplicated pregnancies, fail to rise appropriately in pregnancies complicated by IUGR and may play a role in the pathogenesis of fetal growth restriction. Change in ApoA and increased ApoB/ApoA ratio may be used in identifying mothers with, or at risk of, a pregnancy complicated by IUGR.