Cholesterol Levels of Maternal and Fetal Blood at Parturition in Upper and Lower Income Groups in Guatemala City

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Abstract
Serum cholesterol levels of 37 newborn girls (68 mg./100 ml., S.D. 20) in Guatemala City were significantly higher than those in 28 newborn boys (55 mg./100 ml., S.D. 11). Although two different diets were studied, no tendency was observed for the infant’s serum cholesterol levels to be related to the mother’s, socioeconomic group, diet or serum cholesterol levels at parturition. Serum cholesterol levels rose during pregnancy in the mothers of both groups but the increase was more pronounced in the lower socioeconomic group. A corresponding drop in cholesterol was observed 30 days postpartum in the mothers in each group, but proved statistically significant only for those in the lower income category.