Early pregnancy lipid concentrations and spontaneous preterm birth

OBJECTIVE: Women who deliver preterm infants may be at increased risk for cardiovascular disease, perhaps related to dyslipidemia. STUDY DESIGN: In a nested case control study of women with spontaneous preterm birth, cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, and triglycerides were evaluated. Lipid concentrations and gestational changes, as well as risk for preterm birth, were evaluated in women who delivered < 34 (n = 23), >= 34-< 37 ( n = 67), and >= 37 weeks ( n = 199). RESULTS: High cholesterol or triglycerides <= 15 weeks were associated with a 2.8-fold (1.0-7.9) and 2.0-fold (1.0-3.9) increased risk for preterm birth < 34 weeks and >= 34-< 37 weeks, respectively. Overweight women who delivered < 34 weeks had particularly elevated early pregnancy concentrations of cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein; lean women with moderate preterm birth had elevated triglycerides. There was a reduced triglyceride response in the first half of pregnancy among women who delivered < 34 weeks. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate the presence of dyslipidemia in women with spontaneous preterm birth.