Profile of Dyslipidemia in Pregnant and Postpartum Women: Evidence from a Study in Enugu, Nigeria

Abstract

Pregnancy and the postpartum period are characterized by significant physiological and metabolic adaptations, including alterations in maternal lipid metabolism. This study evaluated the lipid profile of pregnant, postpartum and non-pregnant control women to determine the impact of pregnancy and delivery on maternal lipid levels. Venous blood samples were collected from participants and analyzed using standard enzymatic methods to measure Total Cholesterol, Triglycerides, and High-Density Lipoprotein. Low-Density Lipoprotein, and Very Low-Density Lipoprotein were calculated using Friedewald’s formula. Results showed that pregnant women exhibited a significant increase in lipid levels compared to postpartum women (p<0.05) while both pregnant and postpartum women exhibited higher lipid levels than nonpregnant control groups (p<0.05). These findings indicate that pregnancy and postpartum period induce temporary dyslipidemia which should be monitored to facilitate early identification of women at risk of cardiometabolic complications and inform strategies for maternal health management.