Does an Association Exist Between Maternal Serum Lipid Parameters and Birth Weight of Newborn? A Cross-Sectional Analysis

Abstract

Pregnant woman undergoes profound hormonal, metabolic changes and adaptions to achieve success in terms of healthy baby as outcome. Lipids are more significantly involved as a source of energy, fat-soluble vitamins, and precursors for various hormones. We decided to study pattern of lipid profile parameters at puerperium phase, as an indicative of lipid status of woman in late pregnancy and its influence on birth weight of newborn.

Cross-sectional analysis was carried out at the Surat Municipal Institute of Medical Education and Research (SMIMER), Surat, India after prior institutional ethical clearance. Pregnant women at puerperium phase were included in the study. Women with other illnesses such as tuberculosis (TB), polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), diabetes mellitus (DM), gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), hormonal disorders and with habits such as smoking, tobacco etc. were excluded from the study. Women with stillbirth were also excluded from the study. After informed consent, blood samples were collected from women going to deliver in next 24 h, and simultaneously baby weight was collected after delivery. Blood samples were analyzed for serum lipid profile by ERBA XL 640 analyzer by Transasia Biomedical Pvt. Ltd. Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. Data were collected in MS Excel software, and statistical analysis was carried out by open epi software.

There was no significant difference between the birth weight of newborn babies born to either primigravida and multigravida mothers. The incidence of newborn with birth weight <2 kg was 13.64%, and 3.57% in mothers with serum cholesterol <200 mg/dl, and >250 mg/dl, respectively. Incidence of newborn with birth weight >2.5 kg rises from 50% in mothers with serum cholesterol <200 mg/dl to 60% in mothers with serum cholesterol >250 mg/dl. Similar findings were observed for maternal serum triacylglycerol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol; but no significant association was found between birth weight and maternal serum high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol.

Both primigravida and multigravida mothers with high maternal serum cholesterol, triacylglycerols and LDL seemed to give birth to babies with higher birth weight as compared to those mothers with lower concentration of these parameters. However, no such pattern was observed in case of serum HDL cholesterol.

Keywords: Lipid profile, pregnancy, birth weight, cholesterol, triacylglycerol

Cite this Article

Nakarani KC, Ramavataram DVSS, Vaghasiya NJ, et al. Does an Association Exist between Maternal Serum Lipid Parameters and Birth Weight of Newborn? A Cross-Sectional Analysis. Research & Reviews: Journal of Medical Science and Technology. 2017; 6(2): 46–51p.