Assessment of serum lipid profile changes in pregnant women with proteinuria attending antenatal care in Nnewi, Anambra state, Nigeria

This study assessed the serum lipid profile changes in pregnant women with proteinuria. A cross-sectional comparative study was conducted among 168 pregnant women aged 25–40 years attending antenatal clinics at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH), Nnewi. Participants were divided into proteinuric and non-proteinuric groups. Triglycerides (TG) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were analyzed using spectrophotometric methods, and the TG/HDL ratio was calculated. Anthropometric indices (age, BMI, weight, and height) were also measured. Results showed significantly higher weight (p=0.012), BMI (p=0.002), and triglycerides (p=0.01) in the proteinuric group, whereas HDL-C showed no significant difference (p=0.837). The TG/HDL ratio was significantly elevated in the proteinuric group (p=0.038). These findings suggest that pregnancy complicated by proteinuria is associated with adverse lipid alterations which may predispose mothers to long-term cardiometabolic risks. Early screening and intervention strategies are recommended to improve maternal and fetal outcomes.