An increase in cholesterol levels is perceived during pregnancy and is considered as a normal adaptive response to the development of the fetus. In some pregnancies, excessive increase in total cholesterol with high levels of Low-Density Lipoprotein leads to maladaptation by the fetus to cholesterol demands, resulting in a pathological condition termed as maternal hypercholesterolemia (MH). MH is considered clinically irrelevant and therefore cholesterol levels are not routinely checked during pregnancy, as a consequence of which there is scarce information on its global prevalence in pregnant women. Studies have reported that MH during pregnancy can cause atherogenesis in adults emphasizing the concept of in utero programming of fetus. Moreover, Gestational Diabetes Mellitus, obesity and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome are potential risk factors which strengthen combined pathologies in placenta and fetuses of mothers with MH. However, lack of conclusive evidence on cholesterol transport and underlying programming demand substantial research to develop population-based life style strategies for women in their childbearing years. The current review focuses on the mechanisms and outcomes of MH from existing epidemiological as well as experimental data and presents a detailed insight on this novel risk factor of cardiovascular diseases.

中文翻译：

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妊娠期间母体胆固醇水平：对后代是福还是祸？

怀孕期间胆固醇水平会升高，被认为是对胎儿发育的正常适应性反应。在某些妊娠中，总胆固醇过度增加以及高水平的低密度脂蛋白会导致胎儿对胆固醇需求的适应不良，从而导致称为母体高胆固醇血症（MH）的病理状况。MH 被认为与临床无关，因此在怀孕期间不会常规检查胆固醇水平，因此，关于其在孕妇中的全球患病率的信息很少。研究报告称，妊娠期间的 MH 可导致成人动脉粥样硬化，强调了胎儿在子宫内编程的概念。此外，妊娠期糖尿病、肥胖和多囊卵巢综合症是潜在的危险因素，会加剧 MH 母亲胎盘和胎儿的综合病变。然而，缺乏关于胆固醇转运和潜在规划确凿证据，需要进行大量研究，为育龄妇女制定基于人群的生活方式策略。当前的综述重点关注现有流行病学和实验数据中的 MH 机制和结果，并详细介绍了这一心血管疾病的新危险因素。