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High density lipoprotein-cholesterol changes in children with high cholesterol levels at birth
Sara Bastida1, Francisco J Sánchez-Muniz, Rafael Cuena
1Departamento de Nutrición, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain.
Insights
Serum lipoprotein levels at birth predict levels at age four. High-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) increases less in infants with high birth HDL-C, suggesting early lipid profiles offer predictive insights.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric lipid metabolism
- Cardiovascular risk assessment in children
- Longitudinal health studies
Background:
- The predictive value of neonatal serum lipoprotein concentrations for later-life lipid profiles is not well-established.
- Understanding early lipid dynamics is crucial for identifying children at risk for future cardiovascular issues.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the predictive value of cord blood lipoprotein concentrations for lipid profiles at age four.
- To compare lipid changes from birth to age four in children with high versus normal birth lipid levels.
Main Methods:
- A cohort study comparing 20 children with high cord blood total cholesterol (TC) to 18 controls with normal cord blood lipids.
- Analysis of serum concentrations of TC, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), HDL-C, and apolipoproteins (Apo A-I, Apo B) at birth and age four.
- Dietary intake assessment, focusing on fatty acid composition.
Main Results:
- Significant correlations were found between birth and age four levels for TC, LDL-C, HDL-C, and Apo A-I.
- Children with high birth HDL-C showed significantly lower increases in TC and HDL-C by age four compared to controls.
- Gender differences observed in the increases of specific lipid parameters; dietary intake of fish and omega-3 fatty acids was lower in the high-birth-cholesterol group.
Conclusions:
- High birth levels of high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) are associated with attenuated increases in HDL-C during early childhood.
- Low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) demonstrated a disproportionately larger increase relative to HDL-C in both groups, particularly in controls.
Unlabelled:
The predictive value of serum lipoprotein concentrations at birth for the same parameters later in life is under debate. A group of 20 children displaying high total cholesterol (TC) levels at birth (group 2) were compared at age 4 years with 18 control children who had presented a normal lipoprotein profile at birth (group 1). There was a significant correlation between TC, low density lipoprotein-cholesterol, high density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol, and apolipoprotein (Apo) A-I levels at age 4 years and at birth. The increases in TC and HDL-cholesterol levels from birth to age 4 years were significantly lower (P < 0.05, P < 0.01, respectively) in group 2 than in the control group and inversely correlated with the concentrations of these parameters at birth. The increases in HDL-cholesterol and Apo A-I levels were higher in males while those of triacylglycerol and Apo B were higher in females (P < 0.05). However, the increases in TC and HDL-cholesterol were higher in controls (P< 0.05). Diets of children of both groups were similar regarding the energy contribution of saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, although children from group 2 ate less fish and omega-3 fatty acids (P < 0.05).
Conclusion:
the present data suggest for the first time that when high density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels are high at birth, those levels increase less during the first four years of life. Moreover, low density lipoprotein-cholesterol increased about five times as much as high density lipoprotein-cholesterol did in controls and about 15 times as much as in the children with high cholesterol at birth.