Pregnant women in Trinidad have low plasma triacylglycerol and small babies

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To determine plasma lipid concentrations in non-pregnant women, pregnant women, and their infants. DESIGN AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study of non-pregnant and pregnant African-Trinidadian (AT) and Indian-Trinidadian (IT) women was carried out at Mount Hope Hospital, Trinidad. Adult and cord blood samples were collected and birth weights recorded. Plasma triacylglycerol (TAG), phosphatidylcholine (PC) and non-esterified fatty acid concentrations were determined by gas chromatographic analysis. RESULTS: On average, infants born to both AT (n=4) and IT (n=5) women were of lower birthweight than reference standards; medians 3.07 (2.7-4.6) kg and 3.22 (2.58-4.02) kg, respectively. Plasma lipid concentrations in non-pregnant and pregnant women, and umbilical cord were similar for AT and IT women. Plasma concentrations of PC and nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) were not significantly different between non-pregnant and pregnant women. Median plasma TAG concentration was significantly (p<0.05) greater at term 1.8 (0.6-2.0) mmol/l for AT (n=7); 1.9 (1.5-2.7) mmol/l for IT (n=5) compared with non-pregnant women 0.8 (0.5-1.3) mmol/l for AC; 1.0 (0.5-1.7 mmol/l for EI) n=5/group. Term TAG concentrations were markedly lower than reported previously for Caucasian (2.76 mmol/l). Indian (2.76 mmol/l) and Nigerian (2.7-2.9 mmol/l) women, while values in non-pregnant and pregnant women at 20-22 weeks and 30-34 weeks were comparable. CONCLUSIONS: Since maternal hyperlipidaemia in pregnancy may serve to increase supply of lipids to the foetus during the principal growth phase, low maternal TAG concentrations in late gestation may have contributed to the lower birth weight of these infants. Low birth weight is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes in adults. Therefore, low maternal plasma TAG leading to poor foetal weight gain and impaired growth may represent one potential mechanism which contributes to the high prevalence of heart disease and diabetes in the population of Trinidad.(Au)