Spring, 1998
Researchers link abnormal fetal development to coronary heart
disease
A new study, conducted by researchers at the USDA/ARS Children's
Nutrition Research Center at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston,
provides evidence that poor fetal growth could permanently alter
cholesterol metabolism.
Researchers studied the levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL)
apolipoprotein A1, an independent predictor of coronary heart disease,
in 16 Jamaican children whose mothers were not nourished properly
during pregnancy.
HDL apolipoprotein A1 is necessary for the transport of cholesterol
from the peripheral tissues back to the liver for excretion. High
levels of HDL apolipoprotein A1 are usually correlated with a reduced
risk of coronary heart disease.
"We found the lower the birth weight, the lower the HDL apolipoprotein
A1 levels in these children," said Farook Jahoor, PhD., a Baylor
associate professor of pediatrics. "The fact that they have
low levels of HDL means that their ability to transport cholesterol
back to the liver for excretion is impaired. Hence, plasma cholesterol
is elevated and may increase their risk of developing cardiovascular
problems."
Jahoor believes that the finding, once confirmed by other investigators
in the field, will enable pediatricians to use HDL apolipoprotein
A1 as a screening tool to determine those children who are at greater
risk of coronary heart disease later in life.
"We can alert parents to the risks their infants might face
when they get older," said Jahoor. "This way parents can
take preventative measures, such as feeding their children diets
that are not high in cholesterol."
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