Fasting plasma glucose and cholesterol levels in pregnant Nigerian women.

There are numerous reports of altered carbohydrate metabolism in pregnancy. Normal pregnancy is sometimes characterised by mild fasting hypoglycaemia, postprandial hyperglycaemia and hyperinsulinaemia. Pregnancy has also been observed to be associated with a hypercholesterolaemic state in some individuals with pregnancy-induced hypertension. The aim of the present study was to assess the fasting plasma levels of glucose and cholesterol in pregnant Nigerian women, and to find out any differences from previously reported observations. Twenty pregnant consenting females were used for the study while twenty non-pregnant females were used as controls. Blood samples were taken from each subject after an overnight fast, and assayed for plasma glucose and cholesterol. Results obtained showed a decrease in fasting plasma glucose (from 3.96 mmo1/L to 3.12 mmo1/L) in early pregnancy (p < 0.05) but no change in late pregnancy. Plasma cholesterol was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in pregnant subjects (3.89 mmo1/L) than in the non-pregnant (2.40 mmo1/L), the increase being more appreciable in early pregnancy. These results are similar to data from non-African blacks and Caucasians.