Pentraxin 3 and lipid profile status in pregnancy

Abstract

Hyperlipidaemia and hypercholesterolaemia are risk factors of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. The reference range of lipids during pregnancy has not yet been clearly set. This study sought to measure lipid parameters and pentraxin (PTX) 3 levels in low-risk pregnant women. The participants had serial blood samples taken between their 6th–9th week, 10th–13th week, 14th–19th week, 24th–29th week and 35th–40th week (as long as there were no contractions), during the labour period, and 2 days after delivery. The same tests were carried out on cord blood after delivery. There were 116 participants, of which 72 were included in the study and 44 were excluded. Total-c, HDL-c, LDL-c, TG and PTX3 increased as the pregnancy progressed. During labour, Total-c, HDL-c, LDL-c and PTX3 increased, but TG decreased. After delivery, TG and PTX3 increased but other parameters decreased from the value measured during the 35th–40th week. This study measured changes in lipid profiles and PTX3 during pregnancy, labour and after delivery, establishing a foundation for future studies.

Keywords:

• Hyperlipidaemia
• hypercholesterolaemia
• pregnancy
• lipid profile
• pentraxin 3
• delivery mode

Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge the financial support of the St. Vincent’s Hospital, Research Institute of Medical Science (SVHR-2016-12).

Disclosure statement

The authors report no declarations of interest.