Low birthweight and elevated levels of lipoprotein(a) in prepubertal children

Aim To evaluate whether healthy prepubertal children with low birthweight ( LBW ) exhibited higher serum levels of lipoprotein(a) ( L p(a)) than did those with normal birthweight ( NBW ). Methods A total of 350 healthy children aged 6 to 9 years and in T anner stage 1 were enrolled in a community‐based cross‐sectional study. Family history of hypertension, diabetes or cardiovascular disease ( CVD ) in parents and grandparents; active smoking; a diagnosis of acute or chronic illness; and intake of vitamins or nutritional supplements were exclusion criteria. The cut‐off point for L p(a) was 0.79 μmol/L. Results LBW was identified in 51 (14.6%) children. In total, 42 (12.0%) children had elevated Lp(a) levels, with 25 (49.0%) and 17 (5.7%) in the LBW and NBW groups, respectively ( P < 0.0005). None of the children had adverse cardiovascular outcomes. Average body mass index ( BMI ) (17.1 ± 3.3 and 18.8 ± 3.9, P = 0.001), glucose levels (4.5 ± 0.5 and 4.8 ± 0.4 mmol/L, P = 0.007), insulin levels (67.4 ± 45.1 and 86.1 ± 54.9 pmol/L, P = 0.02), and Lp(a) levels (0.52 ± 0.21 and 1.40 ± 0.49 μmol/L, P < 0.0005) were higher in the children with LBW than in the children with NBW . A multivariate analysis adjusted by age, sex, raw BMI , BMI standard deviation score and insulin level showed a significant association between LBW and elevated levels of L p(a) (odds ratio 8.02, 95% confidence interval 7.3–21.3; P < 0.0005). Conclusions LBW was shown to be strongly associated with elevated serum levels of L p(a).