Correlation between umbilical cord blood lipid profile and neonatal birth weight

Abstract

Introduction and aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the relation between birth weight and neonatal umbilical cord serum lipid levels. Patients and methodsTwo hundred and three healthy newborns were studied in an educational hospital in the south-west of Iran from April 2009 to April 2010. The newborns’ birth weights were measured and their neonatal ponderal indices (NPI) were calculated. Newborns were divided into 3 groups according to their birth weight: low birth weight (<2500g; group 1), normal birth weight (2500–4000g; group 2), and high birth weight (>4000g; group 3). The newborns’ umbilical cord serum was analyzed for its lipid profile, including total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high density lipoprotein (HDL), very low density lipoprotein (VLDL), and low density lipoprotein (LDL). The atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) also was calculated. ResultsThe mean serum lipid levels (TG, TC, LDL, and VLDL) were higher in groups 1 and 3 than in group 2, but the HDL levels were not significantly different. TG, TC, HDL, LDL, VLDL, and atherogenic index had no significant differences between genders (P>0.05). TG, TC, LDL, and VLDL levels in low birth weight (LBW) and high birth weight newborns were significantly higher than in normal weight newborns (P<0.05). TC and LDL were significantly lower in neonates whose mother's age≤30 years compared to older mothers (P<0.05). TC and LDL were significantly higher in group whose mother's BMI≤25 compared to >25. ConclusionTG, TC, LDL, and VLDL levels in LBW and high birth weight newborns were significantly higher than in normal weight newborns. TC and LDL were significantly lower in neonates whose mother's age≤30 years compared to older mothers. TC and LDL were significantly higher in group whose mother's BMI≤25 compared to >25. Another prospective study with more sample size is recommended to finding correlation between neonatal birth weight and cord blood lipid profile.