Skip to content
Licensed Unlicensed Requires Authentication Published by De Gruyter January 6, 2012

Maternal and fetal cord blood lipids in intrauterine growth restriction

  • Ulrich Pecks EMAIL logo , Meike Brieger , Barbara Schiessl , Dirk O. Bauerschlag , Daniela Piroth , Benjamin Bruno , Christina Fitzner , Thorsten Orlikowsky , Nicolai Maass and Werner Rath

Abstract

Aim: Small for gestational age neonates (SGA) could be subdivided into two groups according to the underlying causes leading to low birth weight. Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is a pathologic condition with diminished growth velocity and fetal compromised well-being, while non-growth restricted SGA neonates are constitutionally (genetically determined) small. Antenatal sonographic measurements are used to differentiate these two subgroups. Maternal metabolic changes contribute to the pathogenesis of IUGR. A disturbed lipid metabolism and cholesterol supply might affect the fetus, with consequences for fetal programming of cardiovascular diseases. We evaluated fetal serum lipids and hypothesized a more atherogenic lipoprotein profile in IUGR fetuses.

Methods: Umbilical cord serum lipids and oxidative modified, low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) concentrations were measured by colorimetric enzymatic measurements, or by ELISA. Values of IUGR (n=36) and constitutionally small for gestational age neonates (SGA, n=22) were compared with those of healthy, adequate for gestational age, born neonates (CN, n=97). SAS-statistic software was used and two-way ANOVA was adjusted for gestational age at delivery.

Results: Fetal high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and total cholesterol (TC) concentrations were found to be lower in the IUGR compared to the CN and SGA groups (HDL-C: P<0.001, TC: P<0.01). Atherogenic indices, including the oxLDL/LDL-C ratio, were increased in the IUGR compared to the CN group (oxLDL/LDL-C ratio: P<0.001).

Conclusion: Our results support the hypothesis of a disturbed cholesterol supply in IUGR fetuses. Born SGA has been shown to be a risk factor for developing cardiovascular disease later in life. Since HDL-C has anti-inflammatory properties, a reduced HDL-C during fetal development, and an increase in atherogenic indices, might provide a link to this observation in IUGR fetuses.


Corresponding author: Ulrich Pecks, MD Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology University Hospital of the RWTH Aachen Pauwelsstraße 30 52074 Aachen Germany Tel.: +49 241 80 36065 Fax: +49 241 80 82476

Received: 2011-8-8
Revised: 2011-11-15
Accepted: 2011-11-21
Published Online: 2012-01-06
Published in Print: 2012-04-01

©2012 by Walter de Gruyter Berlin Boston

Downloaded on 28.3.2024 from https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/jpm.2011.135/html
Scroll to top button