FASTING SERUM-FREE FATTY-ACIDS AND TRIGLYCERIDES ARE INCREASED BEFORE 20 WEEKS OF GESTATION IN WOMEN WHO LATER DEVELOP PREECLAMPSIA

Objective: The null hypothesis of this study was that there was no difference in fasting serum concentrations of free fatty acids (FFA) and triglycerides (TG) before 20 weeks of gestation in women who later develop preeclampsia, compared to women with uneventful pregnancies. Methods: Healthy primigravida, n = 510, provided fasting blood samples at 16-18 weeks of gestation. Nineteen of these later developed preeclampsia. Nineteen matched controls were selected from the remaining 491 individuals. Blood samples were also obtained from 16 patients with manifest preeclampsia and from 16 control women with uncomplicated pregnancies. Concentrations of FFA and TG, and the lipolytic activity in maternal serum were measured. Results: In patients with manifest preeclampsia, serum levels of FFA and TG, and lipolytic activity were significantly increased compared to women with normal pregnancies. The group of 19 women who later developed preeclampsia had higher serum FFA and TG concentrations at 16-18 weeks of gestation compared to a matched control group: FFA 0.50 +/- 0.15 vs. 0.34 +/- 0.11 mmol/L (P < 0.001) and TG 1.3 +/- 0.5 vs. 0.9 +/- 0.3 mmol/L (P = 0.003). Conclusion: We provide for the first time evidence that fasting serum free fatty acids and triglycerides are increased before 20 weeks of gestation in women who later develop preeclampsia.