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Published on: August 24, 2011

Serum cholesterol concentrations in newborn infants with gestational ages of 28-42 weeks

B E Ginsburg, R Zetterström

    Acta Paediatrica Scandinavica
    |September 1, 1980
    PubMed

    Insights

    Newborn infants show distinct cholesterol levels, with preterm infants having higher cord blood total cholesterol. Cholesterol levels rapidly change in the first few days of life, with free cholesterol comprising about one-third of the total.

    Area of Science:

    • Neonatal Medicine
    • Biochemistry
    • Pediatric Lipid Metabolism

    Background:

    • Cholesterol is crucial for neonatal development.
    • Understanding lipid profiles in newborns is essential for assessing health and growth.
    • Variations in cholesterol may exist between preterm and term infants.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate serum lipid profiles (total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, VLDL-LDL-cholesterol) in newborn infants.
    • To compare lipid concentrations between preterm and term infants.
    • To examine changes in cholesterol levels during the early neonatal period.

    Main Methods:

    • Serum samples collected from 53 newborn infants (28-42 weeks gestational age).
    • Lipid analysis included total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, and VLDL-LDL-cholesterol.
    • Repeated measurements were performed 3-4 days after birth in a subset of infants.

    Main Results:

    • Preterm infants had higher cord blood total cholesterol (2.4 mmol/l) compared to term infants (1.7 mmol/l).
    • Total cholesterol increased significantly in term infants within 3-4 days, leveling the initial difference.
    • The HDL-cholesterol/VLDL-LDL-cholesterol ratio decreased from 1.8 to 0.6 in both groups after birth.
    • Free cholesterol constituted approximately one-third of total cholesterol at birth and in early neonatal life.

    Conclusions:

    • Gestational age influences initial serum cholesterol levels in newborns.
    • Rapid postnatal changes in cholesterol metabolism occur in term infants.
    • The composition of cholesterol (free vs. esterified) remains consistent in early neonatal life.

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