Evolution of Lipoprotein Patterns in Newborns

Van Biervliet, J. P., Vercaemst, R., De Keersgieter, W., Vinaimont, N., Caster, H. and Rosseneu, M. (Algemeen Ziekenhuis Sint‐Jan, Brugge, Belgium). Evolution of lipoprotein patterns in newborns. Acta Paediatr Scand, 69: 593, 1980. —The plasma levels of total and high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol and of the major apolipoproteins (apo B and apo A‐I) were studied in 30 newborns, on cord blood and after 7 and 30 days of life. The evolution of these parameters during the first month of life shows that newborns have low LDL cholesterol and apo B levels at birth, which increase drastically during the first week and remain constant between 7 and 30 days. The HDL cholesterol and apo A‐I levels are proportionally high at birth and keep increasing slowly up to 30 days. During this period, the cholesterol/apoprotein ratio remains constant in the LDL and HDL class. These data suggest that lipid and apoprotein levels at 7 days are more representative than cord‐blood levels and more meaningful for a screening of congenital hypercholesterolemia. The cholesterol/apo B and apo B/apo A‐I ratios, which are considered to be better predictive factors for atherosclerosis, should be included as screening parameters.