Background.

Various changes occur during pregnancy that, when exacerbated, could progress to metabolic and cardiovascular disorders such as gestational hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and gestational diabetes mellitus.

Objective:

To conduct a systematic review of the literature that evaluates the association between changes in lipid profile during pregnancy and the risk of developing metabolic and cardiovascular disorders.

Methods.

We conducted a PRISMA systematic review of scientific databases. A total of 22 articles were finally included. Used search terms consisted of lipid profile biomarkers (HDL, LDL, triglycerides, total cholesterol) in combination with the most important metabolic and cardiovascular disorders. Language was restricted to Spanish and English. The review was conducted during 2019.

Results.

High levels of total cholesterol, LDL and triglycerides during pregnancy were found to be associated with increased risk of developing preeclampsia and gestational diabetes mellitus. Higher pregestational BMI and elevated gestational weight gain were associated with increase rates of hyperlipidemia which is closely related to vascular pathologies.

Conclusions.

Fostering routine control of maternal weight during all trimesters of gestation and monitoring the lipid profile throughout pregnancy is necessary to prevent pregnancy adverse outcomes. New studies focused on specific perinatal outcomes such as neonatal macrosomia are required.