Cord blood lipid profile in low birth weight babies

Introduction: The incidence of metabolic syndrome is increasing, evidence is accumulating that adaptive responses made by the fetus in-utero to malnutrition can result in increased susceptibility to adult onset diseases. Aim and objective: The objective of the study was to find out the cord blood lipid profile in low birth weight babies so that vigilant monitoring of these high risk babies can be done in future. Material and method: All babies delivered at Subharti hospital during the one year time frame who fitted the inclusion criteria were enrolled and their cord blood lipid profile was sent. Cord blood was investigated for TC(total cholesterol), TG(triglyceride), HDL(high density lipoprotein), LDL (low density lipoprotein), VLDL(very low density lipoprotein), and AI(atherogenic index which was calculated as TC/HDL). 80 Babies were enrolled and classified according to the weight and gestation age into four categories TAGA, TSGA, PTAGA and PTSGA. Cord blood in these four categories were compared and analyzed. Conclusion: Preterm and SGA babies had deranged lipid profile at birth and are at higher risk for developing metabolic syndrome later in life. Thus we must be cautious and judicious while fortifying feeds for preterm (PT) and small for gestation age (SGA) babies and life style modifications need to be made right from the start.