Cord blood lipid profile in healthy newborns: A prospective single-center study

Abstract

Background. Atherosclerosis may originate during the fetal period, therefore it is reasonable to identify early risk markers of lifestyle diseases. Objectives. The aim of the study was to determine the relationship between fetal and maternal factors, and the neonatal cord blood lipid profile in term newborns. Material and methods. In the study group, there were 206 healthy Polish newborns. Newborn characteristics included sex, gestational age at birth, Apgar score, and anthropometric data (weight and length at birth, neonatal ponderal index, head, chest and abdominal circumferences, placenta weight, and placental-fetal weight ratio). Cord blood samples were collected for total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and triglycerides (TG). Information regarding selected maternal factors was collected. Results. The cord blood concentration of TC (p = 0.0007), HDL (p = 0.001) and LDL (p = 0.003) was higher in girls than in boys. A significant positive correlation was found between TG and gestational age (p < 0.0001; r = 0.29). Significant negative correlations between maternal preconception BMI and TC (p = 0.03; r = -0.14), HDL (p = 0.04; r = -0.13) and LDL (p = 0.02; r = -0.15) were observed. Conclusions. In our study group, the influence of the newborns' gender, gestational age and mothers' preconception BMI on lipid concentration was observed. Further investigations are needed to determine markers in cord blood that may predict future metabolic disorders.