Study of serum Vitamin D and lipid profile in pre-eclampsia

Abstract

Introduction:
Pre-eclampsia, a serious pregnancy complication characterized by hypertension and organ
dysfunction after 20 weeks of gestation, poses significant maternal and fetal health risks.
Recent studies suggest a link between dyslipidemia, Vitamin D deficiency, and pre-
eclampsia, emphasizing the need for further investigation.
Objective:
This study aims to explore the role of serum Vitamin D and lipid profiles in pre-eclampsia by
comparing these biomarkers between pre-eclamptic and normotensive pregnant women and
examining the correlation between Vitamin D levels and triglycerides in pre-eclampsia.
Methods:
A one-year case-control study was conducted at Tezpur Medical College & Hospital, Assam,
India, involving 100 pregnant women. The participants were divided into two groups: 50 pre-
eclamptic (cases) and 50 normotensives (controls). Serum Vitamin D levels and lipid profiles,
including HDL, LDL, total cholesterol, and triglycerides, were measured and compared
between the groups. Statistical analysis was performed to assess the significance of
differences and correlations.
Results:
The pre-eclampsia group exhibited significantly lower HDL (36.3 ± 5.2 mg/dL) and Vitamin
D levels (15.65 ± 2.67 ng/mL) and higher LDL (159.36 ± 20.28 mg/dL), total cholesterol
(251.84 ± 32.37 mg/dL), and triglycerides (199.89 ± 55.21 mg/dL) compared to the
normotensive group. A moderate negative correlation between Vitamin D levels and
triglycerides was observed (r = -0.565, p < 0.0001), indicating that lower Vitamin D levels
are associated with higher triglycerides in pre-eclamptic women.

Conclusion:
The study reveals significant alterations in lipid metabolism and Vitamin D deficiency in pre-
eclampsia, with a notable inverse relationship between Vitamin D levels and triglycerides.
These findings suggest that monitoring these biomarkers could help identify women at risk of
pre-eclampsia, enabling early intervention. Further research should investigate the potential
therapeutic benefits of lipid-lowering agents and Vitamin D supplementation in managing
pre-eclampsia.