High maternal apolipoprotein B may indicate increased CV risk in children

NEW ORLEANS — Offspring of children born to mothers with elevated levels of apolipoprotein B had six times the likelihood of having high apolipoprotein B, according to data presented at the American Diabetes Association Scientific Sessions.

“Given the long lag time between the detection of risk factors and the onset of clinical [cardiovascular disease], screening of maternal apolipoprotein B levels might provide a unique opportunity for intervention in their young children,” Valeria Hirschler, MD, of the department of nutrition and diabetes at Durand Hospital in Buenos Aires, Argentina, told Endocrine Today.

Hirschler and colleagues evaluated data on BMI, waist circumference, lipid levels and apolipoprotein B (Apo B) and apolipoprotein A levels from 84 children (42 boys; mean age, 5.3 years) and their mothers (mean age, 33.8 years) in November 2015.

Among the children, 24.4% had overweight and 11.5% had obesity. Among the mothers, 39.1% had overweight and 39.1% had obesity. Researchers defined high Apo B as a level above the third quartile (third quartile mean, 77.6 mg/dL). Compared with children of mothers with Apo B levels below the third quartile, children of mothers with high Apo B levels had significantly higher BMI z scores (0.4 vs. 1.2), waist circumference (55 cm vs. 58 cm), LDL cholesterol (79 mg/dL vs. 98 mg/dL) and Apo B levels (73.9 mg/dL vs. 92.5 mg/dL).

The researchers calculated an OR of 5.7 (95% CI, 1.3-25.5) for high Apo B for preschool-aged children of mothers who had Apo B levels above the third quartile compared with children of mothers with lower Apo B levels, after adjustment for sex, age and BMI. – by Jill Rollet

Reference:

Hirschler V, et al. 1277-P. Presented at: American Diabetes Association Scientific Sessions; June 10-14, 2016; New Orleans.

Disclosure: Hirschler reports no relevant financial disclosures.