Serum cholesterol concentrations in newborn infants with gestational ages of 28-42 weeks.

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 less than 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 and already levelled out. Mean value was 3.0 mmol/l 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 esterified 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.