High density lipoprotein-cholesterol changes in children with high cholesterol levels at birth

The predictive value of serum lipoprotein concentrations at birth for the same parameters later in life is under debate. A group of 20 children displaying high total cholesterol (TC) levels at birth (group 2) were compared at age 4 years with 18 control children who had presented a normal lipoprotein profile at birth (group I). There was a significant correlation between TC. low density lipoprotein-cholesterol. high density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol. and apolipoprotein (Apo) A-I levels at age 4 years and at birth. The increases in TC and HDL-cholesterol levels from birth to age 4 years were significantly lower (P<0.05. P<0.01 respectively) in group 2 than in the control group and inversely correlated with the concentrations of these parameters at birth. The increases in HDL-cholesterol and Apo A-I levels were higher in males while those of triacylglycerol and Apo B were higher in females (P<0.05). However. the increases in TC and HDLcholesterol were higher in controls (P<0.05). Diets of children of both groups were similar regarding the energy contribution of saturated. monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids. although children from group 2 ate less fish and omega-3 fatty acids (P<0.05). Conclusion.. the present data suggest for the first time that when high density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels are high at birth. those levels increase less during the first four bears of life Moreover. low density lipoprotein-cholesterol increased about five times as much as high density lipoprotein-cholesterol did in controls and about 15 times as much as in the children with high cholesterol at birth.