Changes in serum lipid and lipoprotein concentrations and compositions at birth and after 1 month of life in macrosomic infants of insulin-dependent diabetic mothers

The aim of this study was to determine whether macrosomia related to matern al diabetes alters lipoprotein metabolism and whether these abnormalities s till persist or regress after 1 month of life. Serum lipoprotein compositio ns and concentrations as well as serum lipid fatty acid compositions were i nvestigated in macrosomic infants (birth weight = 4840 +/- 105 g at term) o f insulin-dependent diabetic mothers at birth and after 1 month of life, an d were compared to those of control infants (birth weight = 3400 +/- 198 g at term) of healthy mothers. Compared to controls, at birth, macrosomic new borns had higher serum lipids, apolipoprotein A-I and B-100, and lipoprotei n (very low density lipoprotein, low density lipoprotein, high density lipo protein-2 and high density lipoprotein-3) levels. Higher percentages of C18 :2n-6 in serum triacylglycerols, phospholipids and cholesteryl esters were also observed. At day 30, in macrosomics, serum triacylglycerol, apo B-100, very low density lipoprotein and low density lipoprotein levels were still significantly higher. C18:2n-6 and C18:3n-3 contents in serum phospholipid s, triacylglycerols and cholesteryl esters were reduced while C20:4n-6 and C22:6n-3 contents in serum phospholipids and cholesteryl esters were enhanc ed, compared to control values. Conclusion Macrosomia was associated with alterations in lipoprotein compos itions and concentrations at birth, some of which persisted after 1 month o f life, and might play a role in the pathogenesis of diabetes and atheroscl erosis in adult life.