Cord blood hyperlipoproteinemia and perinatal stress.

In 275 neonates mean cord blood cholesterol level was 70 +/- 17 (SD) mg/dl, with a range from 30 to 153 mg/dl. Mean cord blood triglyceride level was 33 +/- 26 (SD) mg/dl, with a range of 5-192 mg/dl. In an attempt to correlate perinatal problems and hypercholesterolemia in neonates we compared 15 hypercholesterolemic neonates who had cord blood cholesterol levels above 95 mg/dl, range 100-153 mg/dl, and triglyceride levels less than 65 mg/dl, with 65 normal neonates whose cord blood cholesterol levels were less than 95 mg/dl and triglyceride values were less than 65 mg/dl. We also compared 19 hypertriglyceridemic neonates who had cord blood triglyceride levels greater than 65 mg/dl, range 66-192 mg/dl, and cholesterol levels less than 95 mg/dl with the 65 normal neonates. Elevated cord blood cholesterol values greater than 95 mg/dl or triglyceride values greater than 65 mg/dl were associated with maternal-fetal problems related to unfavorable intralterine environment, fetal distress, and fetal anoxia. There was a significant correlation between post-term delivery and hypercholesterolemic neonates, and low Apgar scores and maternal hypertension were more often associated with hypertriglyceridemic infants. There was no association between serum cholesterol or triglyceride levels and prolonged ruptured membranes, cesarean section, maternal diabetes, or maternal hypothyroidism. Consequently, we think that when neonates are identified who have elevated cholesterol or triglyceride levels, the possible influence of maternal-fetal perinatal complications should be considered. Speculation Infants with familial hypercholesterolemia may be identified by increases in cord blood cholesterol concentrations. Elevated cord blood cholesterol or triglyceride values of some neonates, however, may represent hyperlipoproteinemia related to neonatal stress associated with maternal-fetal perinatal problems.