Abstract
Objective Maternal malnutrition with disturbed lipid metabolism during pregnancy may affect
the fetal lipid profile. We aimed to detect the relation between maternal and neonatal
serum lipid profile, as well as to detect the serum lipid profile difference between
small for gestational age (SGA) infants and appropriate for gestational age (AGA)
infants to disclose the impact of maternal malnutrition on birth weight.
Study Design A cross-sectional study was conducted on 150 pregnant women coming to the labor room.
Before delivery, maternal serum levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low density
lipoprotein (LDL), triglycerides (TGs), and total cholesterol were assessed, then
after delivery, cord blood samples were taken for assessment of the neonatal lipid
profile. Birth weights were measured, then the neonates were divided into SGA and
AGA groups.
Results Serum levels of LDL, TGs, and total cholesterol in the SGA infants were lower than
that in the AGA infants. A positive correlation between maternal and neonatal serum
TGs levels was found. Besides, there was a positive correlation between birth weight
and maternal serum levels of LDL, TGs, and total cholesterol.
Conclusion Maternal serum lipid profile could be an indicator of the neonatal serum lipid profile
and birth weight.
Key Points
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SGA neonates have lower levels of serum lipids compared to AGA neonates.
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There is a positive correlation between maternal and neonatal triglycerides.
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There is a positive correlation between birth weight and maternal serum lipids.
Keywords
total cholesterol - triglycerides - LDL - HDL - small for gestational age - birth
weight