Serum lipids and lipoproteins at birth in a biracial population: the Bogalusa heart study
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Cord blood lipid profiles reveal that white neonates have higher total cholesterol and beta-lipoproteins than black neonates at birth. These early biochemical relationships in lipids and lipoproteins are established from birth.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric lipidology
- Neonatal biochemistry
- Public health and nutrition
Background:
- Cord blood lipid profiles are crucial indicators of early cardiovascular health.
- Understanding neonatal lipid levels can inform long-term health trajectories.
- Previous studies in the same community showed established lipid-lipoprotein relationships in older children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the lipid profiles of cord blood in a biracial infant population.
- To investigate potential influences on neonatal lipid and lipoprotein levels.
- To determine if established lipid-lipoprotein relationships observed in older children are present at birth.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of cord blood samples from 419 black and white infants.
- Measurement of total cholesterol, triglycerides, and various lipoproteins (beta-, pre-beta-, alpha-).
- Statistical analysis to compare race-sex groups and assess correlations, controlling for potential confounders.
Main Results:
- White neonates exhibited higher average levels of total cholesterol and beta-lipoproteins compared to black neonates.
- White female infants presented with the highest cord blood levels for total cholesterol, beta-lipoproteins, and alpha-lipoproteins.
- No significant effect of delivery stress, birthweight, socioeconomic status, or season on lipid/lipoprotein levels was observed.
- Strong correlations were found between total cholesterol and both beta- and alpha-lipoproteins, and between triglycerides and pre-beta-lipoproteins.
Conclusions:
- Basic biochemical relationships between lipids and lipoproteins are established at birth.
- Neonatal lipid profiles show distinct racial differences that may have long-term health implications.
- The findings support the early establishment of lipid metabolism patterns from infancy.
Abstract:
The lipid profile, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and lipoproteins (beta-, pre-beta-, and alpha-) of cord blood, is presented for 419 black and white infants (94% of the eligible population) born during an 18-month period in Bogalusa, Louisiana. At birth, white neonates of both sexes had higher average levels than black neonates of total cholesterol and beta-lipoproteins. White girls among the four race-sex groups had the highest cord blood levels of total cholesterol, beta-lipoproteins, and alpha-lipoproteins. Neither stress at delivery, birthweight, socioeconomic status, nor season of the year had an observable effect on any of the lipid or lipoprotein levels. The magnitude and direction of the relationships between the respective lipids and lipoproteins in cord blood were similar to those we have observed in preschool and school-aged children in the same community. Total cholesterol was highly correlated with both beta- and alpha-lipoproteins; triglycerides were correlated with pre-beta-lipoproteins but inversely with alpha-lipoproteins. These observations suggest that basic biochemical relationships are already established at birth.