ADVERSE EFFECT OF PREGNANCY ON HIGH-DENSITY-LIPOPROTEIN (HDL) CHOLESTEROL IN YOUNG-ADULT WOMEN - THE CARDIA STUDY

The authors analyzed data from the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) Study in order to examine associations between parity and lipoproteins. Of 2,787 women recruited in 1985-1986, 2,534 (91%) returned in 1987-1988 and 2,393 (86%) returned in 1990-1991 for repeat evaluations, Two-year change (1987-1988 to 1985-1986) in high d ensity lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol was significantly different among the parity groups, HDL cholesterol decreased in women who had their f irst pregnancy of at least 28 weeks duration during follow-up (mean +/ - standard error, -3.5 +/- 1.2 mg/dl), and this change was significant ly different from the increase in women parous at baseline who had no further pregnancies (2.5 +/- 0.3 mg/dl) and in nullipara (2.4 +/- 0.3 mg/dl). There was a nonsignificant trend for a greater decrease in HDL (2) cholesterol fraction in the primipara compared with the other grou ps. The HDL cholesterol decrease remained significant after controllin g for race, age, education, oral contraceptive use, and changes in bod y mass index, waist-hip ratio, physical activity, smoking status, and alcohol intake. Change in HDL cholesterol was also significantly diffe rent among the parity groups in analyses of pregnancies that occurred during the subsequent 3 years of follow-up, There were no differences for change in LDL cholesterol or triglycerides. Potential mechanisms f or a detrimental effect of pregnancy on HDL cholesterol include hormon al, body composition, or life-style/behavioral changes.