Assay of neonatal cord blood lipid levels and its correlation with neonatal gestational age, gender and birth weight: a single center experience

Abstract

Background: It is a well-documented fact that atherosclerosis can originate in the fetal period itself. There is evidence that children with cholesterol levels in upper quartiles are at increased risk of subsequent atherosclerosis and numerous antenatal and perinatal factors may influence this atherogenesis. The current study tried to determine the levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL cholesterol, VLDL and HDL cholesterol in cord blood and correlate levels of these lipoproteins with various factors including fetal gender, gestational age, birth weight and gestational maturity and see whether these factors influence lipid profile in neonates. Methods: Cord blood lipid profile including assessment of total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL cholesterol, VLDL and HDL cholesterol was done involving 90 neonates. Results: The low birth weight group and preterm neonates had higher and statistically significant levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL. They also had higher levels of HDL and VLDL, but the levels of these lipids were not statistically significant. No significant difference in lipid profile was noted based on gender and gestational maturity. Conclusions: Our study results reaffirm the relation between cord blood lipid profile and perinatal factors. With the significantly unhealthy lipid profile among the preterm and low birth weight babies we might safely say that the preterm and low birth weight babies are exposed to a more hypercholesterolemic and potentially more atherogenic environment than their term counterparts and early lifestyle modifications may be required to prevent their progression to coronary artery disease.