Preterm Birth and Cholesterol

Posted by Brenda Lane Apr 17, 2008

If you give birth to a preterm baby, scientists have discovered that you are more likely to have higher cholesterol later in life. New findings were presented at the 2008 meeting of the Society for Gynecologic Investigation in San Diego.

Dr. Janet Catov, an assistant professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, reports that it is hard to say if the high cholesterol triggers the preterm birth or if something in the pregnancy or the preterm birth triggers the cholesterol problem.

Results showed that mothers who gave birth prior to 34 weeks gestation, had a 2.3 times greater chance of having a cholesterol over 240mg/dl which is a level considered to be high risk by the American Heart Association.

Researchers believe that this study indicates that a woman's previous medical history, including her pregnancy, provides a window into her future risk for heart disease.

If you have had a preterm birth and now have high cholesterol, it is recommended that you have regular follow-up every year with a complete physical.

Brenda