Vol. 7, Issue 1, Part A (2025)

Background: Pre-eclampsia (PE) is a pregnancy-specific form of hypertension associated with increased maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Despite involvement of oxidative stress and lipid metabolism disorders to its etiology, efficiency of the atherogenic index (AI) and antioxidant status in Iraqi women are relatively unknown. Aim: This research was carried out to determine the lipid profile, atherogenic index and antioxidant status in women affected with pre-eclampsia compared with normotensive pregnant Controls. Methods A case–control study of 100 pregnant (50 with PE and 50 normotensive controls) women attending hospital in Baghdad, Nov, Dec from January to December /2024. Venous blood samples were taken for fasting serum lipid profile and atherogenic index [AI = log (TG/HDL-C)] as well as total antioxidant capacity (TAC) measurements based on enzymatic methods in venous blood. The results were presented as means± SD and group differences were analyzed by Student's t test, p< 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Women with PE had significantly lower levels of HDL-C and markedly higher levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL-C than controls (p< 0.001). Accordingly, the atherogenic index in PE group was significantly higher (p< 0.001) (0.42±0.07 vs. 0.21±0.05). The increased oxidative stress was also demonstrated as TAC levels found to be significantly lower in PE compared with controls (1.12±0.28 vs. 1.62±0.34 mmol/L, p< 0.01). Conclusion: Pre-eclampsia is characterised by atherogenic dyslipidaemia and defective antioxidant defense indicating their involvement in the pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia. Atherogenic index and antioxidant capacity are potential biomarkers in early diagnosis and risk assessment for pregnant women.