Carnitine and lipid profiles in Korean neonates

Abstract

In this study, 50 newborns¡− carnitine and lipid status were evaluated in the neonatal intensive care unit and obstetrics care unit of Chonbuk National University. The infants were divided into two groups, the under-2500g neonates of low birth weight and the over-2500g neonates of normal birth weight. Vital statistics including: birth weight, stature, chest circumference, head circumference were collected, and plasma or urinary carnitine, as well as plasma lipid levels were determined for comparing the subjects with one another. In addition, the 50 neonates were divided into three groups according to gestational age at birth, 28-32 week, 33-36 week, and 37-40 week; plasma or urinary carnitines and plasma lipid profiles were assayed to compare their lipid and carnitine metabolism by gestational age. Serum neutral lipid concentrations in Korean low birth weight newborns and preterm newborns of 28–32 week gestation age were significantly higher compared with normal birth weight newborns and full-term newborns. The compromised carnitine status and abnormal carnitine bioavailability were observed in the low birth weight neonates and immature neonates. Therefore, more research is needed to assess whether lipid and carnitine supplements might improve neonatal energy metabolism, as appears to be indicated by this study.