Cord blood cholesterol,triglycerides and lipoprotein electrophoresis in 124 Italian infants

Summary Total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), and lipoproteins (by electrophoresis on agarose gel) were determined in the cord blood of 124 Italian infants (Verona area). The mean TC and TG values, when compared with the values reported in other studies, turned out to be remarkably uniform, suggesting common genetic determinants in the modulation of blood lipids; no sex differences were observed. The TG distribution curve was skewed, overlapping the adult pattern. Cord blood TC and TG were not modified by the presence of perinatal factors. Both β and α bands (on agarose gel electrophoresis) were present in all the cases. The pre-β band was clearly detectable in 90 % of the cases; it was barely visible for TG values below 20 mg/100 ml; occasionally a discrepancy between the intensity of the pre-β band and the cord blood TG was observed, indicating a variable lipid composition of very low density lipoproteins (VLDL). In 4 % of the cases a small band at the origin of the electrophoretic run was observed, consistent with the presence of chylomicrons. In the serum of both a newborn infant and its mother we detected a double band migrating in the pre-β region. This finding confirms the hypothesis of a familial transmission of this abnormality.