A cohort of young families from Tallinn was studied for coronary risk factors. In sera from 239 adults and cord blood from 138 of their newborns, TC, HDL-C, LDL-C, TG, Lp(a) and apo-B levels were determined, and body mass index (BMI) and lifestyle factors were registered. In newborns, characteristics of maturity were assessed by Dubowitz and Apgar scores after birth. The aim of the study was to investigate the risk factors for atherosclerosis in young families and to reveal the main determinants of atherogenic lipoprotein parameters in adults and newborns. Using the criteria of the International Lipid Information Bureau, it was found that 24.4% of the men and 9.8% of the women were hypercholesterolemic, 31.5% of the men and 9.6% of the women had low HDL-C, TG levels were elevated accordingly in 5.3% and 1.2% of subjects. The independent determinants of TG level in males were BMI and age, and for LDL-C and apo-B levels--BMI, age and nationality. Female neonates had higher TC, HDL-C and apo-B levels than male neonates, the differences seeming to be associated with the different physiological requirements of male and female fetuses. Newborns' HDL-C levels were correlated positively with their TCs (r=0.72; p<0.001), LDL-C (r=0.47; p<0.001) and apo B (r=0.23; p<0.05). A negative linear correlation was found between neonates' TC levels and the Dubowitz maturity score (r=-0.22; p=0.038). Serum Lp(a) levels did not differ significantly between males and females, either in adults or in newborns. The independent determinants of neonates' serum Lp(a) concentrations were parents' serum levels of Lp(a) and nationality.

Serum lipid, lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)), apolipoprotein (apo) A-I and B concentrations were studied in young families of Tallinn: 157 husbands, 81 wives and 149 newborns participated in the study; 48% of subjects were Estonians, 39% Russians and 13% other nationalities. As previous studies among middle-aged men and school children of Estonia revealed clear national differences in serum lipoprotein profiles, our special interest was to study lipoprotein parameters in relation to ethnic origin. Body mass index (BMI), blood pressure (BP) and smoking habits were determined. In newborns, maturity by physical and neurological criteria and Apgar score after birth were assessed. At the age of 18-30 years, Estonian men had significantly higher serum total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglyceride and Lp(a) levels than did Russian men. Estonian newborns had higher serum triglyceride concentration than Russian ones. Among women no national differences were recorded in the measured parameters. Lp(a) levels were not statistically correlated with age, BMI, BP or current smoking. Negative associations were revealed between Lp(a) and serum level of apo A-I (in men) or triglycerides (in newborns). Lp(a) concentrations correlated positively with LDL cholesterol (in women) and apo B (in newborns). Lp(a) levels of newborns were not associated with birthweight or health status, but correlated strongly with the sum of parental and fathers' Lp(a) concentrations, demonstrating that a genetic factor(s) is involved in the values of plasma Lp(a) levels.

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