High Lp(a) lipoprotein level in maternal serum may interfere with placental circulation and cause fetal growth retardation.
We report on a woman with an Lp(a) lipoprotein level above the 99th centile of the population distribution of concentrations, who at the age of 43 had had deep vein thrombosis causing a pulmonary embolus and whose brother, who also had a very high level, had suffered a cerebral infarction at the age of 43. She had given birth to three children, all with very low birth weight, one of whom died when 3 months old. The placentas had been small and ischemic. The concurrence of a very high Lp(a) lipoprotein level, familial thromboembolic disease and recurrent placental ischemia with delivery of children with low birth weight suggests the possibility that a very high Lp(a) lipoprotein concentration may predispose to placental insufficiency, presumably arising from pathological changes in maternal uterine vessels in the placental bed. If confirmed, a very high Lp(a) lipoprotein level may be a factor to consider in women who have repeated pregnancies with placental insufficiency and who give birth to children with low birth weight.
Berg
K
K
Institute of Medical Genetics, University of Oslo, Norway.
Roald
B
B
Sande
H
H
D000328:Adult; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D017270:Lipoprotein(a) / Q000097:blood*; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange; D010920:Placenta / Q000098:blood supply*; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000097:blood*; D012039:Regional Blood Flow; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000097:blood
D017270:Lipoprotein(a)