CORD BLOOD LIPID PROFILE IN PRETERM AND TERM NEWBORNS: A HOSPITAL BASED COMPARATIVE STUDY FROM NORTH KANARA REGION OF INDIA

Abstract

Introduction: Background: Cardiovascular diseases are common cause of moertality in developed countries and also are rising trend in developing countries. It has its roots in adverse fetal environment; which lead to adult diseases like Coronary artery diseases in later life. Aim: The objective of this study was to compare & contrast the lipid profiles in term and preterm neonates. Materials and Methods: a case-control study was conducted in departments of Pediatrics & Obstetrics of Karwar Institute of Medical Sciences, Karwar, Karnataka of India over a period of 10 months. 500 deliveries were recruited randomly which met the inclusion criteria after informed written consent;babies were divided into Comparison group 1 (Preterm gestation of <37weeks gestational age)& comparison group 2 (term gestation of >37 weeks gestational age).Cord blood lipd-profiles of these babies were compared & studied. Results: Out of 500 babies studied,there were 197 preterm (<37weeks gestational age) & 409 term babies (>37 weeks gestational age) babies.The Mean gestational age was 39.55±1.11 weeks for term babies & 34.50 ± 2.77 weeks for preterm babies.The mean TC level (73.76±27.98 mg/dL) was higher in comparison group 1(preterms) compared to comparison group 2(term)babies(62.60 ± 34.20mg/dL) and this difference was statistically very significant(P=0.003). The mean low density lipoprotein(LDL) level (35.54 ± 20.96mg/dL) was more higher in comparison group 1(preterms) compared to comparison group 2(term)babies (27.89 ± 15.62 mg/dL) and this difference was statistically very significant(P=0.001). The mean very low density lipoprotein(VLDL) level (11.12 ± 5.13mg/dL) was more higher in comparison group 1(preterms) compared to comparison group 2(term)babies (8.68 ± 7.55 mg/dL) and this difference was statistically very significant(P=0.003).The mean Triglycerides(TGs) levels of comparison group 1(preterms) & comparison group 2(term)babies were comparable with no statistical significance(42.63 ± 25.80mg/dL of preterm babies ; 42.43 ± 28.10mg/dL of term babies;P=0.948).The mean High density lipoprotein(HDL) levels of comparison group 1(preterms comparison) & comparison group 2(term)babies were comparable with low statistical significance(26.37 ± 13.65mg/dLof reterm babies ; 24.78 ± 10.76mg/dL of term babies;P=0.218). Conclusion: Levels of most lipid components were observed to be higher in preterm babies compared to term babies.