title: Comparison of Cord Blood Lipid Profile in Preterm Small for Gestational Age and Appropriate for Gestational Age Newborns.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Coronary heart disease is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality in current era. The roots of this epidemic have been traced to as early as foetal life by foetal origin hypothesis. There are a few studies which have compared the cord blood lipid profile of preterm and term babies and thereby leading a path to primordial prevention of chronic diseases.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To study cord blood lipid profile of preterm appropriate for gestational age and preterm small for gestational age neonates and compare atherogenic index of both groups.
  
  
  METHODS
  This cross-sectional study was conducted in 109 preterm infants. Cord blood samples were collected from placental side of umbilical cord at birth and analyzed for lipid profile which includes serum cholesterol, triglycerides, Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL), High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) and apolipoproteins which include ApoA1, Apo B.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Preterm Small for Gestational Age (SGA) neonates had statistically significant higher values of triglycerides, Apo B and atherogenic index compared to preterm Appropriate for Gestational Age (AGA) neonates. Other measured lipid levels were not statistically significant, though the values were higher than reference ranges for term babies.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Prematurity as a factor associated with a more atherogenic lipid profile is re-affirmed and SGA as an additional risk factor has been proven giving scope for future research and primordial prevention.
authors.affiliation: Resident, Department of Paediatrics, Kasturba Medical College , Mangaluru, Karnataka, India .
authors.forename: Tejasree
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Katragadda
authors.affiliation: Associate Professor, Department of Paediatrics, Kasturba Medical College , Mangaluru, Karnataka, India .
authors.forename: Rajesh Shimoga
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Mahabala
authors.affiliation: Senior Resident, Department of Paediatrics, Kasturba Medical College , Mangaluru, Karnataka, India .
authors.forename: Subodh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shetty
authors.affiliation: Professor and Head, Department of Paediatrics, Kasturba Medical College , Mangaluru, Karnataka, India .
authors.forename: Shantharam
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Baliga
keywords: Apolipoprotein B; Atherogenic index; Preterm neonate