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Low-density lipoprotein profile changes during the neonatal period

Journal of Perinatology volume 28, pages 335–340 (2008)Cite this article

Abstract

Objective:

To investigate natural change of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) profile during the neonatal period and the impact of gestational age and birth weight on those changes.

Study Design:

We measured lipid composition in LDL fraction, LDL particle size and apolipoprotein B (apoB) concentration at birth, 5 days of age and 1 month of age in 63 healthy neonates that had 37 to 41-week gestational age.

Result:

Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and apoB concentrations increased from birth to 5 days of age, and the concentration persisted at 1 month in breast-fed and mixed-fed infants. However, in formula-fed infants, the concentration decreased at 1 month. At 5 days of age, neonates had larger and more triglyceride (TG)-rich LDL particles than at birth. At 1 month of age, LDL particles were smaller and more cholesterol rich than at 5 days of age. Single regression analyses showed that gestational age had influenced the LDL profile at birth and 5 days of age, while at 1 month milk determined the profile.

Conclusion:

The number of LDL particles increased rapidly during the first 5 days of life, and the composition of LDL particles is modulated by TG content throughout the neonatal period. Gestational age and milk, rather than birth weight, determine postnatal changes in LDL profile.

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Acknowledgements

We thank the babies and their parents for participating in the study. This study was supported by a grant from Health and Labour Sciences Research Grants: Comprehensive Research on Cardiovascular Diseases, no. 17160501 in Japan, which was entitled ‘Cohort study for concept, pathophysiology, establishment of diagnostic criteria, and effective intervention for metabolic syndrome in childhood’.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, Nihon University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan

    H Fujita, T Okada, I Inami, M Makimoto, S Hosono, M Minato, S Takahashi & H Mugishima

  2. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nihon University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan

    T Yamamoto

Authors
  1. H Fujita
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  2. T Okada
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  3. I Inami
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  4. M Makimoto
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  5. S Hosono
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  6. M Minato
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  7. S Takahashi
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  8. H Mugishima
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  9. T Yamamoto
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to T Okada.

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Fujita, H., Okada, T., Inami, I. et al. Low-density lipoprotein profile changes during the neonatal period. J Perinatol 28, 335–340 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1038/jp.2008.8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/jp.2008.8

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