Cord Blood Atherogenic Index in Preeclampsia: Tracing Fetal Origins of Adult Disease

Maternal physiology sets the fetal environment and maternal health status during pregnancy significantly affects the fetal growth in uterus. Since birth weight is summary measure of fetal growth and its determinants include genetic growth potential, length of gestation and maternal size and supply line to baby (in terms of metabolic and nutritional status of mother, uteroplacental perfusion and placental function). Hence, the present study was planned to study metabolic derangements in preeclampsia by analyzing cord blood Atherogenic Index (AI) in normal pregnant and preeclamptic women and to correlate them with birth weight and maternal AI. Study group consisted of 50 women with preeclampsia (group II) and 50 health normotensive pregnant women served as controls (group I). Serum Apo A-I and Apo B levels were analyzed by immunoturbidimetric immunoassay kits and atherogenic index was calculated. Apo B levels were significantly elevated in group II in both cord blood and maternal blood as compared to group I. Apo A-I. levels were lower in maternal blood and higher in cord blood of group II. a negative correlation was observed between cord blood AI and birth weight in group II. While, group I showed a positive correlation between cord blood AI and birth weight. These findings lend support to the hypothesis that roots for adult heart disease begins in utero programming.