Lower HDL, higher LDL, TG, TC linked to preeclampsia risk in meta-analysisBlood Lipid Levels Linked to Preeclampsia Risk

Frontiers in Medicine Published June 7, 2026 DOI ↗ Editorial oversight: Dr. Amelia Tan, PhD · Internal Medicine & Chronic Disease

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Key Takeaway

Consider blood lipid monitoring as a clinical reference in preeclampsia, but avoid causal interpretation due to observational data.

This meta-analysis of 12 studies (from 822 initially retrieved) examined the association between maternal blood lipid levels and preeclampsia (PE) risk. The analysis compared lipid profiles in PE patients versus controls and also assessed adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Key findings: HDL levels were significantly lower in PE patients (SMD = -0.14, 95% CI: -0.18 to -0.10; BMI-adjusted SMD = -0.09). LDL, TG, and TC were significantly elevated: LDL SMD = 0.44 (95% CI: 0.32-0.55; adjusted 0.38), TG SMD = 0.47 (95% CI: 0.36-0.59; adjusted 0.43), TC SMD = 0.24 (95% CI: 0.18-0.31; adjusted 0.22). All P < 0.05. The PE group also had a higher incidence of adverse pregnancy outcomes (OR = 3.90, 95% CI: 2.62-5.81; P < 0.00001).

Limitations include the observational nature of included studies, which precludes causal inference, and modest effect sizes after BMI adjustment. The authors note that blood lipid monitoring may serve as a clinical reference but is not definitive due to the study design. Clinicians should interpret these associations cautiously and not overstate causal links.

A new meta-analysis of 12 studies suggests that certain blood lipid levels may be linked to a higher risk of preeclampsia, a serious pregnancy complication. Researchers analyzed data from 822 studies and found that women with preeclampsia had significantly lower levels of HDL (good cholesterol) and higher levels of LDL (bad cholesterol), triglycerides, and total cholesterol compared to healthy pregnant women. The differences remained even after adjusting for body mass index, though the effects were modest.

The study also found that women with preeclampsia had nearly four times the odds of adverse pregnancy outcomes, such as preterm birth or low birth weight. However, because the studies were observational, the findings do not prove that abnormal lipids cause preeclampsia. Other factors could explain the link.

This research adds to evidence that blood lipid monitoring might help identify women at risk, but it is not yet a definitive tool. Pregnant women should not change their care based on these results alone. The findings highlight the need for more research to understand the role of lipids in preeclampsia.

What this means for you:

Abnormal blood lipids are linked to higher preeclampsia risk, but more research is needed.

Study Details

Study typeMeta analysis

EvidenceLevel 1

PublishedJun 2026

View Original Abstract ↓

ObjectiveTo quantitatively synthesize the association between maternal blood lipid levels and the risk of preeclampsia (PE), and to evaluate its potential clinical utility for risk stratification monitoring.MethodsRelevant literature was retrieved from international databases (PubMed, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, Embase) and Chinese databases (CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, SinoMed) up to March 2025. After screening, statistical analyses were conducted using RevMan 5.4.1 software. Heterogeneity was assessed using the Q-test and I2 statistic. Fixed-effect or random-effect models were applied as appropriate. For continuous lipid indicators (HDL, LDL, TG, TC), effect sizes were expressed as standardized mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI); for adverse pregnancy outcomes (binary variable), odds ratio (OR) with 95% CI was used. Sensitivity analyses were performed by sequentially excluding studies with the highest weights and by restricting to studies reporting BMI-adjusted estimates. Publication bias was evaluated using funnel plots and Egger's test.ResultsA total of 822 studies were initially retrieved, and 12 studies met the inclusion criteria. The meta-analysis showed that compared to controls, HDL levels were significantly lower in PE patients (SMD = −0.14, 95% CI: −0.18 to −0.10, P < 0.05), while LDL (SMD = 0.44, 95% CI: 0.32–0.55, P < 0.05), TG (SMD = 0.47, 95% CI: 0.36–0.59, P < 0.05), and TC (SMD = 0.24, 95% CI: 0.18–0.31, P < 0.05) were significantly elevated. Sensitivity analyses restricted to studies with BMI-adjusted estimates yielded consistent results with attenuated effect sizes (HDL: SMD = −0.09; LDL: SMD = 0.38; TG: SMD = 0.43; TC: SMD = 0.22). The incidence of adverse pregnancy outcomes was significantly higher in the PE group (OR = 3.90, 95% CI: 2.62–5.81, P < 0.00001).ConclusionPatients with PE exhibit significant alterations in blood lipid levels, which are associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. These associations persist after adjusting for BMI, although effect sizes are modest. Blood lipid monitoring may serve as a clinical reference in PE management, but causal inference is precluded due to the observational nature of the included studies.

Lower HDL, higher LDL, TG, TC linked to preeclampsia risk in meta-analysisBlood Lipid Levels Linked to Preeclampsia Risk

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