How do cholesterol and phospholipids change during pregnancy?

How do cholesterol and phospholipids change during pregnancy?

• A. Decrease 40 to 60%
• B. Increase 40 to 60%
• C. No change
• D. Increase 10%

Answer: (B)

During pregnancy, lipid levels rise as a normal adaptation to support fetal development and maternal energy needs. Estrogen stimulates the liver to make more lipoproteins, leading to higher circulating cholesterol and phospholipids. This physiologic hyperlipidemia typically increases by about 40–60% above nonpregnant levels, with the rise peaking in the third trimester. The extra cholesterol provides material for fetal cell membranes and steroid hormones, while the increased phospholipids contribute to the structure of these lipoprotein particles and support energy reserves for late pregnancy and early postpartum periods. A decrease, no change, or only a small 10% increase would not reflect this typical gestational adaptation.

During pregnancy, lipid levels rise as a normal adaptation to support fetal development and maternal energy needs. Estrogen stimulates the liver to make more lipoproteins, leading to higher circulating cholesterol and phospholipids. This physiologic hyperlipidemia typically increases by about 40–60% above nonpregnant levels, with the rise peaking in the third trimester. The extra cholesterol provides material for fetal cell membranes and steroid hormones, while the increased phospholipids contribute to the structure of these lipoprotein particles and support energy reserves for late pregnancy and early postpartum periods. A decrease, no change, or only a small 10% increase would not reflect this typical gestational adaptation.