Lipoprotein A profiles in Arab newborns

Background: Lipoprotein A (LpA) is an intriguing lipoprotein with unquestionable genetic determination which is expressed early in life. The increasing interest in LpA is due to its established recognition as an important independent risk factor for premature atherosclerosis in cardiovascular diseases. Coronary heart disease is a major cause of morbidity and premature mortality in Kuwait. The present study was designed to measure serum LpA concentrations in Arab newborns to establish reference values for LpA in newborns and its relationship to factors present in the mother and baby. Methods: Serum LpA concentration was analyzed in the cord blood of 107 Arab newborns by an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Results: The mean and median LpA were 54.8 mg/L and 33 mg/L, respectively (range 1-500 mg/L). The frequency distribution of LpA in cord blood was skewed to the right, with the highest frequencies of LpA below 100 mg/L. Mean LpA levels were significantly higher in female infants compared with male infants at birth (77.27 +/- 108.12 mg/L vs 40.2 +/- 41.43 mg/L, P < 0.05). Lipoprotein A concentrations in newborns were not influenced by material characteristics or type of delivery. Moreover, neonatal LpA concentration did not correlate with birthweight (BW) or body mass index (BMI). Conclusions: Lipoprotein A concentration at birth is low and is not related to maternal characteristics. Additionally, the development of circulating LpA in serum at birth was independent of BW and BMI.