Serum carnitine, triglyceride and cholesterol profiles in Korean neonates

Evaluation of carnitine deficit in very low birth weight preterm newborns small for their gestational age

OBJECTIVE

To verify whether small-for-gestational-age (SGA) preterm newborns represent a special risk group for carnitine deficiency. Secondary outcome includes assessment of longitudinal differences of total carnitine (TC), free carnitine (FC) and acylcarnitines between SGA and appropriate-for-gestational-age (AGA).

METHODS

A retrospective study to evaluate carnitine and acylcarnitines profile on 144 very-low-birth weight newborns (VLBW), classified as AGA (n = 73) and SGA (n = 71), was performed by tandem mass spectrometry, during their first 5 weeks of life. Carnitine deficiency was defined as FC <40 µmol/L and FC/TC <0.7.

RESULTS

Carnitine deficiency was observed in the two study groups throughout the monitoring period (maximum FC: 36.05 µmol/L in AGA and 32.24 µmol/L in SGA). FC/TC remains under 0.7 in both with progressive improvement. Unlike expected, a comparatively higher value of TC, FC and total acylcarnitines (tAC) was found in SGA during the first 2 weeks, with significant relevance on day 3-5, especially for tAC (p < 0.001). The only acylcarnitine with persistently lower value in SGA is C5 (p < 0.05 in first 2 weeks).

CONCLUSIONS

A carnitine deficiency was demonstrated in all VLBW. Although birth weight restriction has been suggested as a risk factor for impaired carnitine status, in our study, SGA was not related with higher carnitine deficiency.

The association of birth weight with cardiovascular risk factors and mental problems among Iranian school-aged children: the CASPIAN-III study

OBJECTIVE

Both high and low birth weights (HBW and LBW) are risk factors for adulthood diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of birth weight with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors and mental problems among Iranian school-aged children.

METHODS

This national multicenter study of school-aged children entitled CASPIAN III was conducted among 5528 students in ranging from ages 10 to 18 y. Biochemical indices and anthropometric measurements were collected. Mental health was assessed by questionnaire. To investigate the association between birth weight categories and CVD risk factors and mental problems, multivariate logistic regression was used.

RESULTS

HBW adolescents were at higher risk for elevated diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (Ptrend < 0.05), low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (Ptrend < 0.05), and lower risk for general obesity (Ptrend < 0.05) compared with the LBW category. HBW had no significant association with mental problems (Ptrend > 0.05) compared with LBW adolescents. The results of regression analysis, which considered normal birth weight as the reference group, showed that LBW students had lower risk for overweight and obesity (P < 0.01), as well as higher DBP (P < 0.05) but they were at higher risk for lower levels of HDL-C (P < 0.01). Furthermore, birth-weight categories had a U-shaped relationship with mental problems and sleep disorders (P < 0.05). Risk for confusion was higher among the LBW group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Findings from this population-based study revealed a positive relation between birth weight categories and CVD risk factors. Compared with students born with normal weight, those born with HBW and LBW were at higher risk for mental problems, sleep disorders, and confusion.

Carnitine deficiency and its possible risk factors in TB patients: first report

AIM

To assess carnitine serum levels and possible risk factors of its deficiency in patients with TB.

PATIENTS & METHODS

All newly diagnosed TB patients admitted to an infectious diseases ward were recruited. Demographic, clinical and paraclinical characteristics of the patients were collected. Total carnitine serum concentrations were measured. To investigate factors that can predict carnitine deficiency, logistic regression analysis with odds ratio and 95% CI was performed.

RESULTS

The mean ± standard deviation of carnitine serum levels of patients was 43.77 ± 32.92 µmol/l. Carnitine deficiency was detected in 47.7% of the study population. According to the final model of multivariate logistic regression analysis, increased serum triglyceride levels and hypoalbuminemia were identified as predictive factors of carnitine deficiency in TB patients aged over 35 years old.

CONCLUSION

Nearly half of Iranian patients with TB were carnitine-deficient. Increased serum triglyceride levels and hypoalbuminemia were identified as independent risk factors of carnitine deficiency in patients aged over 35 years. Considering malnutrition as a major risk factor of TB and the safety of carnitine supplementation, use of carnitine as an adjunctive modality instead of other standard interventions may show beneficial effects in patients with TB.