Serum Cholesterol Concentrations in Newborn Infants With Gestational Ages of 28–42 Weeks

Ginsburg, B.‐E. and Zetterström, R. (Department of Paediatrics, Karolinska Institute, St. Göran's Children's Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden). Serum cholesterol concentrations in newborn infants with gestational ages of 28–42 weeks. Acta Paediatr Scand, 69: 587, 1980.—Serum total cholesterol, HDL‐cholesterol and VLDL‐LDL‐cholesterol were determined in 53 newborn infants with gestational ages of 28–42 weeks. In pre‐term infants (gestational age < 37 weeks) the total cholesterol concentration in cord blood was higher than in term infants. Mean values were 2.4 and 1.7 mmol/l, respectively. The HDL‐cholesterol/ VLDL‐LDL‐cholesterol ratio was 1.8 in pre‐term and term infants. In 11 pre‐term and 17 term infants a second determination was made 3–4 days after birth. Total cholesterol had increased more in term than in pre‐term infants and the difference found at birth had already levelled out. Mean value was 3.0 mmol/I in pre‐term and term infants. The HDL‐cholesterol/ VLDL‐LDL‐cholesterol ratio had changed to 0.6 in pre‐term and term infants. Six pre‐term infants who received intravenous fluids only were also studied. Their values did not differ from those in pre‐term infants fed orally. Free and esteritied cholesterol were determined in 26 infants of varying gestational ages. About one‐third of the total cholesterol was in the free form in pre‐term and term infants at birth and during the first days of life.