Maternal and cord plasma levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides in Nigeria.

Plasma total cholesterol, triglycerides and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were determined in 70 pregnant women immediately after delivery and in the cord blood of their babies; 62 non-pregnant women served as controls. The mean lipid levels were significantly higher in the pregnant women than in the non-pregnant women. The lipid levels in the cord blood were much lower than those in the maternal blood but were not different from values which have been reported from the developed countries; they were independent of socio-economic class. The total and high density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were related to socio-economic status both in the pregnant and non-pregnant women, but the ratio of high density lipoprotein cholesterol to total cholesterol and triglyceride levels were not. The cord blood lipid levels were also independent of socio-economic class.