Plasma lipids in the early puerperium

Plasma lipids for nonpregnant and puerperal patients were resolved on silicic acid columns into triglyceride, phospholipid, and cholesterol ester fractions, and the esterified fatty acids in these fractions determined. Results showed that, with the exception of esterified cholesterol, puerperal values for the carboxyl esters increased during the 24 hours following delivery. In addition, a decrease was observed in these lipid components from the first through the fifth postpartum day which was primarily due to the triglycerides, though phospholipid and esterified cholesterol showed a slight drop. Impaired carbohydrate metabolism and its possible relation to insulin resistance was suggested as a factor explaining the hyperlipidemia of pregnancy and its decrease in the early puerperium.