The levels of lipids in the serum of hypertensive pregnant women were determined in order to establish any relationship between lipids and hypertensive pregnancy. Plasma levels of triacylglycerols (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC), low density lipoprotein cholesterol and very low density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDLC) were estimated by established methods. The results in hypertensive pregnancy were compared with those of normotensive pregnancy. The results have confirmed the findings of hyperlipidaemia in pregnancy. In the third trimester, there are higher levels of hyperlipidaemia in both normotensive and hypertensive pregnancy with low levels of HDLC and LDLC in both groups. In 3-6days post partum, plasma lipid levels in hypertensive pregnancy were now normal except for HDLC which was still raised. Multiple regression analysis indicated that there is no correlation between the high lipids and high blood pressure in hypertensive pregnancy. This suggests that hyperlipidaemia is very unlikely to be the aetiological factor of pregnancy induced hypertension.
