Low density lipoprotein in neonates with high cord serum cholesterol levels

Differences in cord serum low density lipoprotein (LDL) composition between male and female neonates with normal or high (> or = 100 mg/dl or > or = 2.59 mmol/l) serum cholesterol levels were studied in 548 full-term newborn infants of the Toledo Study (Spain), where the absence of known perinatal factors that would alter lipid levels in cord blood was confirmed. The percentage of females with a high serum total cholesterol (TC) level was higher (p < 0.02) than that of males. ANOVA two-way analysis shows significant interaction of gender and cholesterol level upon LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL-cholesterol/Apoprotein (Apo) B ratio. However, Apo B was higher in those neonates, both male and female, with high cholesterol levels. The LDL fraction carried about 55% of TC in females with high TC levels (HF), whereas it transported just 40% in males with high TC levels (HM). LDL appeared more enriched in cholesterol than in Apo B in HF than in HM (p < 0.01). An increased level of small LDL particles should be associated with the higher triglyceride level found amongst HM. Results in LDL composition suggest that metabolic gender-related differences in infants with normal or high TC are presented at birth.