Association between maternal serum lipids during late pregnancy and adverse birth outcomes

Abstract

Background: Adverse birth outcomes have short- and long-term impacts on maternal and child health. Maternal dyslipidemia during late pregnancy has been found to be associated with increased risk of adverse birth outcomes. However, similar evidence on association between maternal blood lipid levels and adverse birth outcomes is limited in China.Methods: The data were extracted from Guangdong Women and Children Hospital Information System from September 2014 to March 2018. A total of 3951 mother-newborn pairs were included in our study. Logistic regression model and linear trend analysis were conducted to analyze the correlation between maternal blood lipid levels and adverse birth outcomes after controlling potential confounders including gestational age, pre-pregnancy body mass index, fetal sex, and parity. Results: Among the 3951 subjects, the rates of macrosomia, large-for-gestational age (LGA), low birth weight infants (LBW), and preterm birth were 3.9% (154/3951), 8.5% (334/3951), 9.5% (377/3951), and 9.8% (388/3951), respectively. LDL was a risk factor for preterm birth (OR: 1.20; 95% CI: 1.08-1.34) while HDL was a protective factor (OR: 0.73; 95% CI: 0.55-0.96) after adjusting for covariates. As every unit increase in TG, the risk of macrosomia and LGA increased by 25% (adjusted OR: 1.25; 95% CI: 1.12-1.38) and 16% (adjusted OR: 1.16; 95% CI: 1.07-1.26), respectively. However, every unit increase in HDL concentration was associated with decreased risk for LGA (adjusted OR: 0.60; 95% CI: 0.44-0.81) and macrosomia (adjusted OR: 0.64; 95% CI: 0.41-0.99). High LDL concentrations were associated with a decreased risk of macrosomia (adjusted OR: 0.82; 95% CI: 0.68-0.99) and LGA (adjusted OR: 0.86; 95% CI: 0.76-0.98) but an increased risk of LBW (adjusted OR: 1.16; 95% CI: 1.04-1.30). The results of linear trend analysis were similar to those of logistic regression model.Conclusions: Maternal dyslipidemia during the third trimester is closely related to adverse birth outcomes. Monitoring and managing maternal blood lipid levels in an appropriate range may help to reduce the burden of adverse birth outcomes.