Low cholesterol linked to early birth

Pregnant women with very low cholesterol levels may have a higher risk of giving birth prematurely, a new study claims.

Previous studies have found a link between very high cholesterol and an increased risk of premature birth, which can raise the likelihood of disabling conditions and respiratory illness.

In the latest report, US researchers studied cholesterol levels in more than 1,000 pregnant women aged between 21 and 34 from South Carolina. All were non-smokers and none had diabetes.

Five per cent of women with moderate levels of cholesterol gave birth prematurely (before 37 weeks) compared to 21 per cent of white women with low levels of cholesterol.

No increase was observed in African-American women but full-term babies born to both these women and white women with low cholesterol weighed on average five ounces less than full-term babies born to mothers with moderate cholesterol levels.

Although the researchers warn that further research is needed to extrapolate the results to the general population, the study’s senior author Dr Max Muenke said that based on initial findings, “it appears that too little cholesterol may be as bad as too much cholesterol during pregnancy”.

“The right amount of cholesterol is fundamental for good health, both before and after birth,” he added.

“During pregnancy, cholesterol is critical for both the placenta and the developing baby, including the brain. For now, the best advice for pregnant women is to follow the guidance of their health care providers when it comes to diet and exercise.”