Investigating the prevalence and associated factors of elevated liver enzymes and dyslipidemia during pregnancy

Liver dysfunctions during pregnancy can either be pregnancy-specific or preexisting in acute or chronic form. Data on the prevalence of abnormal liver functions and dyslipidemia during pregnancy in Bangladesh are scarce since these tests are not typically done in routine prenatal screening. This study aims to investigate the prevalence of elevated liver enzymes and dyslipidemia and associated risk factors in a cohort of pregnant women in Bangladesh. This cross-sectional study included 194 pregnant women participants from different trimesters. A standardized questionnaire was used to collect baseline, demographic, and lifestyle data. Blood samples were collected from each participant to measure biochemical parameters such as liver enzymes (ALT and GGT), lipid profile (TC, TG, HDL-C, and LDL-C), glucose, and creatinine levels in the serum. Logistic regression analysis was applied to identify factors associated with liver dysfunction and lipid profile abnormalities. The average age of the participants was 25 ± 5 years. Overall, the prevalence of preeclampsia was 12.4%. Among participants, 27% had increased ALT levels, most in their third trimester, while 11.8% had elevated GGT levels, mostly in early pregnancy. 83.8% of the study subjects had general dyslipidemia, with the highest prevalence in the second trimester and 5.2% had mixed dyslipidemia. Several factors were significantly associated with ALT elevation, such as preeclampsia, elevated blood pressure, low HDL-C levels, high parity number, having a higher number of children, hypertensive disorders during pregnancy and inadequate knowledge about pregnancy diet. On the other hand, advanced maternal age, high gravidity, and mixed dyslipidemia were associated with elevated GGT levels. Conversely, age, hypertensive disorders during pregnancy, preeclampsia, and diabetes were associated with dyslipidemia. In conclusion, elevated levels of liver enzymes and an abnormal lipid profile are common among pregnant women in Bangladesh. Various factors are linked to abnormal liver enzymes and dyslipidemia in these participants. Monitoring liver function and lipid levels, along with proper prenatal care, can help reduce the risk of maternal and neonatal mortality.