Cord blood lipid profile at delivery and association with birth weight among term babies

Abstract

Background: Abnormal birth weight is a leading risk factor for neonatal morbidity and mortality, abnormal lipid profile levels may be involved. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between cord blood lipid profile levels and neonatal birth weight of babies. Materials and Methods: Two hundred apparently healthy pregnant women attending antenatal clinics a Specialist Hospital in Benin City were recruited into the study. Five (5 mL) milliliters of cord blood was collected from the umbilical vein into plain bottle. The serum levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) were determined using spectrophotometric techniques. The low-density lipoprotein (LDL) was calculated using Friedewald's equation, while anthropometric measurements were done using standard techniques. Data were analyzed using Student's t-test and Pearson correlation coefficient. Results: The birth weight (2.34 ± 0.3 versus 3.47 ± 0.4; P < 0.01), head circumference (32.3 ± 1.3 versus 34.4 ± 2.8; P < 0.04), recumbent length (50.2 ± 0.5 versus 54.6 ± 0.2; P < 0.04), and Ponderal Index (2.14 ± 0.5 versus 24.5 ± 0.2; P < 0.02) were significantly lower in babies with small for gestational age (SGA) than appropriate gestational age. The total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL cholesterol, and LDL cholesterol were significantly lower (P < 0.001) in SGA than appropriate for gestational age (AGA) babies. Total cholesterol (r = 0.21; P < 0.004) and triglycerides (r = 0.31; P < 0.001) correlated positively with the weight of babies. Conclusion: AGA babies had significantly higher lipid profile levels compared to SGA babies.