Abstract:
Background: Preeclampsia is a leading cause of maternal mortality worldwide and a serious
health problem that affects the majority of women. Aim: We investigated the association
between lipid profile and maternal obesity among preeclamptic women in the Cape Coast
Metropolis. Subject and Methods: This case–control study involved 60 preeclamptics and
50 healthy pregnant controls matched for age and gestational weeks consecutively recruited
from two major hospitals in the Cape Coast Metropolis. Blood samples were collected after
overnight fasting and enzymatic spectrophotometric tests used to estimate lipid concentrations.
The independent samples t‑test, Chi‑square, and Pearson’s correlation were used in the
analysis of data gathered. Results: Serum triglyceride (TG) (P = 0.04), very low density
lipoprotein (VLDL) (P = 0.02), TC (P = 0.01) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) (P = 0.03)
levels were higher in preeclamptic participants than in the controls. High density lipoprotein
concentration showed no significant variation between the two groups (P = 0.83). Preeclamptic
women were more obese (P = 0.07). High body mass index (OR = 1.501; CI = 0.926‑2.106,
P = 0.01), high TG level (OR = 5.026; CI = 0.794-31.818, P = 0.01), were associated with
preeclampsia. Conclusion: Lipid abnormalities, mostly elevated levels of TG, TC, LDL, and
VLDL are present in preeclamptics. High TG levels and maternal obesity are associated with
preeclampsia among pregnant women in the Cape Coast Metropolis.
