Hyperlipoproteinemia in Newborn Infants

Andersen, G. E., Lous, P. and Friis‐Hansen, B. (Neonatal Department, Rigshospitalet, and the Department of Clinical Chemistry, Bispebjerg Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark). Hyperlipoproteinemia in newborn infants. A study of 1025 families. Acta Paediatr Scand, 68: 683, 1979.—As part of a screening study for the detection of hyperlipoproteinemia in 10000 newborns, cord serum lipids and lipoproteins were measured in detail in 1025 infants. Elevated cord serum VLDL‐LDL‐cholesterol could easily be identified by a rapid turbidimetric estimation of cord serum VLDL‐LDL. Cord serum VLDL‐LDL‐cholesterol was found to be significantly higher than normal in premature, asphyxiated and betamethasone‐phenobarbital‐ritodrine treated infants. Other obstetric complications, however, were not associated with hyperlipoproteinemia. Furthermore all 2050 parents had their serum cholesterol determined. 3 parents had familial hypercholesterolemia (FH). One child also had FH, though her cord serum total cholesterol and VLDL‐LDL‐cholesterol were normal. The 2 other children of the 3 FH parents, had normal lipids and lipoproteins both at birth and follow‐up.