Lipid and lipoprotein concentrations at age 4. Association with neonatal and parental levels

To study the influence of diet, anthropometrical measurements and neonatal and parental lipoprotein variables on lipoprotein concentrations at age 4.

18 neonates with normal serum lipoprotein values (group 1), 19 neonates with high total cholesterol (TC) levels (group 2) and 21 neonates with normal TC but altered levels in other lipids, apolipoproteins, lipoproteins or ratios (group 3) were selected for a follow-up study. Body weight, body mass index (BMI) and the suitability of diet at age 4 for coronary heart disease prevention were evaluated. Multivariable stepwise linear regression analyses were performed for each lipid or lipoprotein parameter at age 4 considering group at birth, diet, neonatal and parental BMI, lipid or lipoprotein parameters.

A large percentage of 4 year-olds had high low density lipoproteins-cholesterol (LDLc) and low high density lipoproteins-cholesterol (HDLc) and followed an unsuitable diet. Prevalence of altered lipoprotein variables, except for TC/HDLc, was similar in the 3 groups. Correlations of birth versus 4 year levels were significant (p = 0.021-0.0001) for all parameters except triglycerides, TC and LDLc. However, all tracking correlations were not significant in group 3. In the multiple regression study, parental and neonatal parameters were retained as explicative variables in many of the models but diet was not retained in any of them. Maternal concentrations were always more explicative than paternal or neonatal ones. Models for TC/HDLc and LDLc/HDLc were the most explicative (both, R2 > 0.578; p < 0.0001).

Lipoprotein variables at age 4 were more closely associated with progenitors' and neonatal lipoprotein values than BMI or diet.