Mom's Low Cholesterol Tied to Preemie Births

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According to Muenke, because previous studies have shown that high cholesterol levels -- over 300 mg/dL -- may lead to premature birth, the researchers wanted to know if very low levels could also have an effect.

The researchers recruited more than 1,000 women from prenatal clinics in South Carolina. The women were between 21 and 34 years old, didn't smoke, didn't have diabetes and were only pregnant with one baby. Cholesterol levels were measured at about the 17th or 18th week of pregnancy.

Overall, 118 of the women had low cholesterol levels mid-pregnancy and 940 women had levels higher than 159 mg/dL.

The study found that white women had five times higher odds of delivering prematurely if they had low cholesterol. There was no association between cholesterol levels and preterm delivery in black women, according to the study.

However, for both races, babies weighed an average of 150 grams less (about one-third of a pound) when born to mothers with low cholesterol. Additionally, babies born to mothers with low cholesterol levels were about twice as likely to have a small head circumference.

Muenke said the low cholesterol levels are likely caused by a combination of genetics and nutrition. According to the study authors, the low cholesterol levels may stem from poor diet and nutritional deficiencies. What isn't yet known is if raising cholesterol levels in these women would have a positive effect on the baby's health.

"I wouldn't recommend routine screening for cholesterol in pregnant women right now," cautioned Welch. "It would increase health care expenditures tremendously without a known benefit. This was a first study; others need to done. We also need to find some explanation of why it's taking place only in white women and not in black women."

"What this study does suggest is that diet in pregnancy is important, and that not paying attention to nutrition could be harmful," said Welch.

Muenke agreed, adding that, "At this point, the message is really to 'stay tuned' for a repeat study. In the meantime, talk with your obstetrician about a healthy lifestyle, including exercise and healthy nutrition."

More information

To learn more about proper prenatal nutrition, visit the National Women's Health Information Center.