Juniper Publishers : Relationship of Severe Maternal Morbidity and Maternal Mortality to Serum Lipids in Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy
Journal of Gynecology and Women’s Health-Juniper
Publishers
Authored by Chhabra S
Abstract
Background: Hypertensive disorders
of pregnancy (HDP) are associated with a large burden of maternal
morbidity and mortality. Whether lipids affect the maternal outcome in
these cases is not well known. Research goes on.
Objective: Study was conducted to
know relationship between lipid abnormalities and severe morbidity,
mortality in women with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.
Methodology: In the present
prospective study of women with singleton pregnancy of gestational 28
weeks and beyond with hypertensive disorders ,fasting serum lipids,
cholesterol, triglycerides, high density lipoproteins (HDL), low density
lipoproteins (LDL) and very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) were
estimated at entry and repeated every 7 days. Cases were observed for
placental abruption, renal failure, pulmonary edema, HELLP (Hemolysis,
Elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets), partial HELLP or post partum
haemorrhage (PPH) and followed up till 7 days postpartum.
Results: Occurrence of maternal
complications was significantly less (p0.001) in women who had mild or
severe PIH with normal serum lipid levels (p0.001). In women with mild
and , severe preeclampsia with normal lipid levels the occurrence of the
complications was significantly less (p0.001). Only 2 women with
eclampsia had normal lipid levels, hence comparison was not possible.
Also there was linear relationship between period of gestation, serum
lipid abnormalities and severity of maternal morbidities. Between the
gestation period from 28-34 weeks, out of 292 women, 167(57.19%) women
had lipid abnormalities compared to 222(99.10%) of 224 women between
gestational age 34-37 weeks. Of the 964 women with hypertensive disease,
four (0.41%) women died. Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) was 465.65
amongst HDP, 28.6% of the overall maternal mortality during the study
period. Overall MMR during the study period was 200.54. MMR without
hypertensive disorders was 163.34. Four women who died had deranged
lipids
Conclusion: As observed dyslipidemia
and severity of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and complications
are closely associated. Further research is needed to uncover these
associations.
Keywords: Hypertensive disorders; Lipid derangement; Severe maternal morbidity and mortality.Introduction
Hypertensive disorders of
pregnancy (HDP) are associated with a large burden of maternal morbidity
and mortality Roberts [1], Dekkar [2], Farrokh-Eslamlou et al. [3],
Bauserman et al. [4], Soni-Trinidad et al. [5] due to the disease itself
or the consequences and interventions. In spite of being common
disorders, HDP are not very well understood as to why some mothers do
well and others do not. Among many causative factors, serum lipids are
believed to play an active role in the etiopathogenesis of hypertensive
disorders of pregnancy Boden [6], Wakatsuki et al. [7], Herrera [8],
Lain et al. [9], Herrera et al. [10], Nickens et al. [11] and may be
affect the outcome too. HDP are known to be associated with
dyslipidemia, placental dysfunction and endothelial cell activation.
Dukić et al. [12], Stocks [13], Szpera-Gozdziewicz et al. [14] whether
lipids affect the maternal outcome in these cases is not well known and
research goes on.
Objective
Study was conducted to know the relationship between lipid
abnormalities and maternal morbidity and mortality in women
with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.
Material and Methods
The present prospective study of women with singleton
pregnancy of gestational age 28 weeks and beyond with
pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH- hypertension systolic
blood pressure 140 , diastolic 90 or more) or preeclampsia [with
proteinuria of more than 300mg/l in 24 hrs or 30 mg/dl (1+
dipstick) detected in random urine] or eclampsia (hypertension
associated with seizures non-attributable to any other cause)
was carried out over a period of two years at a rural institute
after taking informed consent.
PIH and preeclampsia were further subdivided into mild
(diastolic Blood Pressure 90-110 mm Hg or less), and severe
(diastolic BP >110 mm Hg). Fasting serum lipids, cholesterol,
triglycerides, high density lipoproteins (HDL), low density
lipoproteins (LDL) and very low density lipoproteins (VLDL)
were estimated at entry and repeated every 7 days.
Cases were observed for placental abruption, renal failure,
pulmonary edema, HELLP (Hemolysis, Elevated liver enzymes,
and low platelets), partial HELLP or post partum haemorrhage
(PPH) and followed up till 7 days postpartum.
Results
A total of 7233 births took place during the study period of
which, 964 (13.32%) women had hypertensive disorders. 609
(63.17%) had Mild PIH, 83 (8.60%) severe PIH, 108 (11.20%)
mild preeclampsia, 115, (11.92%) severe preeclampsia and 49
(5.08%) eclampsia. Of the 652 women with mild PIH, 325 had
elevated cholesterol, 3 (0.92%) of them developed placental
abruption, 10 (3.07%) PPH, and 3 (0.92%) had multiple problems
(placental abruption, partial HELLP and PPH). Five hundred
and ninety nine had elevated triglycerides, 3 (0.53%) of them
developed placental abruption, one (0.17%) had partial HELLP,
9 (1.61%) had PPH and one (0.17%) had multiple problems.
Seventy two women had elevated LDL, 3 (4.16%) of them had
placental abruption, one (1.38%) partial HELLP and 5(6.94%)
had PPH. One hundred fifty four women had elevated VLDL, of
which 2 (1.29%) developed partial HELLP, 7(4.54%) PPH and
one (0.64%) had multiple problems. Fourth four women had
low serum HDL, 2 (4.54%) of them had placental abruption
and 8 (18.18%) PPH. Overall of mild PIH cases, 7 (1.07%) had
partial HELLP, 11 (1.68%) had placental abruption, 39(5.98%)
had PPH, and 5 (0.76%) had multiple problems (including PPH,
partial HELLP). The occurrence of maternal complications was
significantly less (p<0.001) in the women who had mild PIH with
normal serum lipid levels.
Amongst the 67 women with severe PIH, 61 had elevated
cholesterol, 6 (9.83%) of them had placental abruption,
3(4.91%) partial HELLP, 2(3.27%) HELLP, 5 (8.19%) PPH and 3
(4.91%) had multiple problems. Sixty one women had elevated
triglycerides, ten (16.39%) of them had placental abruption, 2
(3.27%) partial HELLP, 2(3.27%) HELLP, 9 (14.75%) PPH and
6(9.83%) had multiple problems. Fifty nine women had elevated
VLDL, of which 4 (6.77%) had placental abruption, one (1.69%)
HELLP, 4 (6.77%) partial HELLP, 7 (11.86%) PPH and 2(3.38%)
had multiple problems. Thirty two women had elevated LDL, of
which, 9 (28.12%) had placental abruption, 11 (34.37%) partial
HELLP, 2 (6.25%) HELLP, 6 (18.75%) PPH and 5 (15.62%) had
multiple problems. All of them had normal HDL. Overall of 67
women with severe PIH, 29 (43.28%) had placental abruption,
20 (29.85%) partial HELLP, 7 (10.44%) HELLP, 27 (40.29%)
had PPH and 16 (23.88%) had multiple problems. In the women
with severe HDP with normal lipid levels, morbidities were
significantly less (p<0.001).
Among 91 women with mild preeclampsia, 89 had elevated
cholesterol; seven of them (7.86%) had placental abruption, one
(1.12%) PPH and 2 (2.24%) had multiple problems. Eighty three
had elevated triglycerides, of which 7(8.43%) had placental
abruption, 4 (4.81%) PPH and 4 (4.81%) had multiple problems.
Thirty four had elevated LDL of which 4 (11.36%) had placental
abruption, 3 (8.82%) PPH and one (2.94%) had multiple
problems. Eighty three women had elevated VLDL of which
6 (7.22%) had placental abruption and 3 (3.61%) had PPH.
Nine had lower serum HDL of which 3 (33.33%) had placental
abruption, one (11.11%) partial HELLP, one (11.11%) HELLP,
one (11.11%) renal failure and 3 (33.33%) had PPH. Overall 91
women with mild PE with abnormal lipid levels, 27 (29.67%)
had placental abruption, one (1.09%) each had partial HELLP,
HELLP and renal failure, 14 (15.38%) women had PPH and 7
(7.69%) women had multiple problems. In the women with mild
preeclampsia and normal lipid levels, the occurrence of these
complications was significantly less (p<0.001).
Of all the 115 women with severe preeclampsia, 110 had
elevated cholesterol, triglycerides and VLDL, 9 (8.18%) of them
had placental abruption, 5 (4.54%) had partial HELLP, 6 (5.45%)
HELLP, 10(9.09%) PPH, 3 (2.72%) pulmonary edema and one
(1.36%) had renal failure. Thirty four women had elevated LDL,
of which 4 (11.76%) had placental abruption, 5 (14.70%) had
HELLP, 13 (38.23%) partial HELLP, 3 (8.82%) had PPH and 2
(5.88%) had renal failure. Twenty two women had low HDL 3
(12.5%) of them had HELLP, one (4.16%) placental abruption,
4 (16.66%) had PPH, one (4.16%) had pulmonary edema
and 2(8.32%) had renal failure. Overall of 115 women with
severe PE with lipid abnormalities, 14 (12.17%) had placental
abruption, 18(15.65%) had partial HELLP, 14(12.17%) had
HELLP, 17(14.78%) had PPH, 4 (3.47%) had pulmonary edema
and 5 (4.34%) had renal failure. On comparing women having
severe preeclampsia and normal lipid levels, complications were
significantly less (p<0.001). (Table 1& 2).


Fourth seven women with eclampsia had elevated cholesterol,
elevated triglycerides and elevated VLDL. 6 (12.76%) of them
had placental abruption, 2 (4.25%) had partial HELLP, 2 had
(4.25%) HELLP, 4 (8.51%) had PPH, one (2.12%) had pulmonary
edema and 2 (4.25%) had renal failure. Twenty two women
with eclampcia had low HDL 6 (27.27%) of them had placental
abruption, 3 (13.63%) had HELLP, one (4.54%) had partial
HELLP, 6 (27.27%) had PPH, one (4.54%) had pulmonary edema
and 2 (9.09%) had renal failure. Of 47 women with eclampsia
with deranged lipids, 12 (25.53%) had placental abruption, 3
(6.38%) had partial HELLP, 5 (10.63%) had HELLP, 10 (21.27%)
had PPH, 2 (4.25%) had pulmonary edema and 4 (8.5%) women
had renal failure. Only 2 women with eclampsia had normal lipid
levels, hence comparison was not possible.
There was linear relationship between period of gestation,
serum lipid abnormalities and severity of maternal morbidities.
Between the gestation period from 28-34 weeks, out of 292
women, 167(57.19%) women had lipid abnormalities, compared
to 222(99.10%) of 224 women between gestational age 34-37
and 432(68.03%) of 635women of gestation >37 weeks. Of the 964 women with hypertensive disease four (0.41%) women
died. Amongst HDP cases. Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR)
was 465.65, 28.6% of the overall maternal mortality during the
study period. Overall MMR during the study period was 200.54.
MMR without these disorders was 163.34. All of the 4 women
who died had deranged lipids; one was a 27 year old second
para with severe preeclampsia at 28 weeks. She presented in
coma and was diagnosed to have cerebral hemorrhage. She had
elevated cholesterol, triglycerides. LDL, VLDL below normal
HDL levels. The second woman was a 22 years primipara who
had post partum eclampsia with HELLP, DIC and atonic PPH.
She had elevated cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL, VLDL and
below normal HDL. The third case, a 20 years primipara with
eclampsia, died due to intracranial hemorrhage and had elevated
cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL, VLDL and normal HDL levels.
Fourth woman was 24 years primipara with severe PIH with
HELLP with DIC. She had elevated cholesterol, triglycerides, and
LDL, VLDL below normal HDL levels. All the eclamptic women (2
of 4 who died) had severely deranged serum lipid levels. (Table
3)

Discussion
In spite of being a common entity, known since ages,
with dangerous implications for the mother and the baby,
hypertensive disorders of pregnancy still remain an unsolved
problem. They affect pregnancy in many ways, but not all
pregnancies are affected in the same way or to similar extent and
research continues.
In the present study it was found that there was significant
relationship between lipid derangements and severity of
hypertensive disorders and its impact on severity of morbidity it
causes. Among 964 hypertensive women, the most pathological,
serum triglycerides were elevated in 890 (92.32%) women.
Other lipids deranged were elevated cholesterol in 637 (66.07%)
% women, 453 (46.99%) women had elevated VLDL, 181
(18.77%) women had elevated LDL and 99 (10.26%) women had
low serum HDL levels. Among all the lipids, LDL correlated best
with the risk of complications, placental abruption, PPH, HELLP,
partial HELLP, renal failure and pulmonary edema and more
research needs to be done.
In one of our earlier studies Chhabra et al. [15], presence
of HELLP/partial HELLP was found to be associated with the
adverse pregnancy even in cases of mild hypertensive disorders
also as reported by some other researchers Ray et al. [16],
Ekhator and Ebomoyi [17], Vigil-De Gracia P [18] This suggests
that something else is also responsible in the pathogenesis of
complications in hypertensive disoeders during pregnancy. It has
been reported that the lipids are deranged in all these subjects
Ray et al. [16], Ekhator and Ebomoyi [19]. All women who died
had severe hypertensive disorders and elevated cholesterol,
triglycerides, LDL, VLDL levels while, and 3 had below normal
HDL levels.
Mudd et al. [19] have reported that high TG, LDL and
Cholesterol are modestly associated with the risk of hypertensive
disorders of pregnancy and maternal and fetal/neonatal
complications. Scifres et al. [20] found that maternal serum fatty
acid binding protein 4 (FABP4) levels are elevated before the
clinical onset of preeclampsia which was indirect indication of
dyslipidemia having a causative relationship with hypertensive
disorders of pregnancy and its complications. Ghio et al. [21]
have suggested that increased TG during pregnancy appear
to increase risk of preeclampsia and preterm birth. Authors
suggested that maternal hypertriglyceridemia had a role in increasing cardiovascular risk later in life and increasing future
morbidity. So may be women who have lipid derangements and
hypertensive disorders have more chances of cardiovascular
disease [22-28].
Conclusion
As observed dyslipidemia and severity of hypertensive
disorders of pregnancy and complications are closely associated.
Further research is needed to uncover these associations.
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