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Lipoprotein(a) profiles and evolution in newborns
J P Van Biervliet1, C Labeur, G Michiels
1Department of Pediatrics, A.Z.St-Jan, Brugge, Belgium.
Insights
Plasma lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] levels are low at birth but increase significantly in the first week and continue to rise for six months in newborns. Diet does not appear to influence these early Lp(a) changes.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Science
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Lipid Metabolism
Background:
- Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
- Understanding early life Lp(a) development is crucial for assessing long-term cardiovascular risk.
- Limited data exists on Lp(a) concentrations and characteristics during the first six months of life.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify plasma Lp(a) concentrations in newborns from birth to six months.
- To investigate the influence of diet on Lp(a) levels.
- To characterize Lp(a) particle size and distribution in relation to age.
Main Methods:
- Quantification of plasma Lp(a) using a sensitive ELISA assay.
- Longitudinal follow-up of Lp(a) levels from birth to 180 days.
- Analysis of lipoprotein profiles via gel chromatography.
- Assessment of dietary influence on Lp(a) concentrations.
Main Results:
- Lp(a) levels are low at birth, rising significantly within the first week and continuously up to 180 days.
- Elevated Lp(a) levels were detected in some newborns, with persistence noted at 16 months and in parents.
- At birth, Lp(a) particles were larger than LDL, becoming more heterogeneous with age.
Conclusions:
- Newborns exhibit a distinct pattern of rapid Lp(a) increase post-birth.
- Early detection of high Lp(a) may identify individuals with familial predisposition.
- Lp(a) particle characteristics evolve during early infancy, independent of nutritional factors.
Abstract:
Plasma Lp(a) concentrations in newborns were quantified by a specific and sensitive ELISA assay and their evolution was followed between birth and 6 months. The influence of the diet on Lp(a) levels was also investigated. Moreover, the high sensitivity of the assay enabled the localisation of the Lp(a) fraction in the lipoprotein profile obtained after plasma separation by gel chromatography. Lp(a) levels are low at birth and rise significantly between 0 and 7 days post partum; in this newborn population, a continuous rise of the mean Lp(a) levels was observed until 180 days, in contrast with the apo B concentration that plateaus after 7 days. An early screening enabled the detection of newborns with elevated Lp(a) levels compared to the mean value of their age group. A further follow-up of some cases at 16 months confirmed the high Lp(a) levels measured in the infants and at least one of the parents. The investigation of the lipoprotein profiles as a function of the age of the newborn enabled an estimation of the size and distribution of the Lp(a) lipoprotein in four infants. At birth, Lp(a) particles were larger than LDL and tend to become more heterogeneous with increasing age of the newborn. We could not observe any statistically significant influence of the nutritional factors on the plasma Lp(a) concentrations at any age.