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Lipoprotein(a) levels in formerly small-for-gestational-age children
F Pulzer1, U Haase, J Kratzsch
1Children's Hospital, University of Leipzig, Germany.
Insights
Children born small for gestational age (SGA) have significantly higher lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) levels than those born adequate for gestational age (AGA). Impaired fetal growth may impact later-life Lp(a) concentrations, a risk factor for heart disease.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Science
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Metabolic Syndrome
Background:
- Lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) is an established inherited risk factor for coronary artery disease.
- While Lp(a) levels are studied in adolescents, data on children born small for gestational age (SGA) is limited.
- Intrauterine growth restriction may have long-term metabolic implications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of intrauterine growth on serum Lp(a) concentrations in children.
- To compare Lp(a) levels in children born SGA versus those born adequate for gestational age (AGA).
- To explore the relationship between elevated Lp(a) and other metabolic parameters in SGA children.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study comparing 50 SGA children and 21 AGA children.
- Measurement of serum Lp(a) and triglyceride levels.
- Statistical analysis to compare groups and assess correlations.
Main Results:
- SGA children exhibited significantly higher mean Lp(a) levels (22.3 +/- 22.1 mg/dl) compared to AGA children (10.9 +/- 7.6 mg/dl).
- A higher proportion of SGA children (14/50) had elevated Lp(a) (>30 mg/dl) versus AGA children (1/21).
- SGA children with elevated Lp(a) also showed higher triglyceride levels and an inverse correlation between Lp(a) and gestational age.
Conclusions:
- Intrauterine growth restriction is associated with elevated serum Lp(a) levels in childhood.
- Elevated Lp(a) in SGA children may be linked to other cardiovascular risk factors like higher triglycerides.
- These findings suggest that impaired fetal growth could influence Lp(a) levels and cardiovascular risk later in life.
Abstract:
Lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) is an independent and inherited risk factor for coronary artery disease. Concentrations of Lp(a) have been widely described in adolescents, but little is known about its concentration in children born small for gestational age (SGA). To assess the influence of intrauterine growth on Lp(a) levels we examined 50 children born SGA and 21 children born adequate for gestational age (AGA). Lp(a) blood levels (mean +/- SD) of the SGA children differed significantly (p < 0.05) from AGA children (22.3 +/- 22.1 vs. 10.9 +/- 7.6 mg/dl). 14 out of 50 adolescents of the SGA group but 1 out of 21 of the AGA group had elevated Lp(a) (>30 mg/dl) concentrations (p < 0.05). These children also had higher triglyceride (1.0 +/- 0.6 mmol/l vs. 0.74 +/- 0.38 mmol/l) levels (p < 0.05) compared to children with Lp(a) levels <30 mg/dl. Adolescents with Lp(a) levels >30 mg/dl showed a significant inverse relation between Lp(a) levels and gestational age (r = -0.68, p < 0. 005). We hypothesize that impairment of fetal growth might influence serum Lp(a) levels in later life.