Cord blood lipoprotein profile in term, preterm, and late preterm newborns

Background: High concentrations of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins, and apolipoprotein B in newborns with low gestational age may increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases in the future. We investigated the lipid profile in term, late preterm and preterm Iranian infants. Materials and Methods: A total number of 99 term (gestational age ≥37 weeks), preterm (gestational age <34 weeks), and late preterm (34≤ gestational age <37 weeks) newborns were studied. Total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), and triglycerides, as well as apolipoproteins A and B were analyzed using auto analyzer. Results: Significant differences existed between cord blood concentrations of triglycerides, total cholesterol, and LDL-C in the term, late preterm and preterm infants (P < 0.05). The highest (61.69 mg/dl) and lowest (47.03 mg/dl) concentrations of triglycerides were documented in term and preterm newborns, respectively. Late preterm infants had the highest concentration of cord blood cholesterol. The lowest amount of cholesterol was found in term newborns (72.51 mg/dl). No significant difference existed in the mean of HDL-C and apolipoproteins in the studied groups (P > 0.05). Conclusion: In this study, the cord blood concentrations of cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL-C were lower in term than in preterm and late preterm infants. This finding should be considered in infant nutrition and preventive measures.