Comparing Maternal Lipid Profile in Normotensive Females, Females with Gestational Hypertension, Chronic Hypertension or Preeclampsia

Objectives: to evaluate the changes of lipid profile that affect the development of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Background: Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are prominent complications of pregnancy. Hyperlipidemia is accompanied by endothelial dysfunction that predisposes to albuminuria and hypertension. Patients and Methods: A Cross-sectional study was designed and conducted at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Menoufia University Hospital, during the period of February2023and February2024. A total of 132 pregnant women were enrolled in the study. Subjects were divided into 4 groups each group included 33 participants normotensive pregnant women, chronic hypertensive, gestational hypertensives and preeclamptic women. Total cholesterol, triglycerides (TG), highdensity lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) were assessed. Results: by comparing these values among studied women, a significant rise in TC, TG and LDL but HDL-C showed a significant decrease in hypertensive and preeclamptic women compared to normal pregnant women. While LDL: HDL ratios were higher in hypertensive groups. Conclusions: The study results revealed that abnormal lipid metabolism, high TG, cholesterol and LDL-C concentrations and low HDL-C, may enhance endothelial malfunction and oxidative stress seen in hypertensive pregnancy disorders. Lipid profile assessment may be valuable in early diagnosis and prevention of hypertensive pregnancy disorders. The results of this study suggest that an abnormal lipid profile may enhance endothelial dysfunction and oxidative stress predisposing to preeclampsia and hypertension during pregnancy. Antenatal assessment of maternal lipid profile may help to reduce hypertensive complications during pregnancy. It is recommended to assess blood lipid levels as a part of antenatal care program.