Strandkjær N, Hansen MK, Nielsen ST, et al. - Findings demonstrate low lipoprotein(a) levels in early life, and that cord blood could be a substitute for neonatal venous blood, and detection of newborns at risk of developing high levels was enabled by birth levels ≥90th percentile.

• In a prospective cohort study (COMPARE study), newborns (n=450) from Copenhagen, Denmark were involved including blood sampling of parents.

• Mean lipoprotein(a) levels were recorded to be 2.2, 2.4, 4.1, and 14.6 mg/dL in cord, neonatal venous, and 2- and 15-months venous samples, respectively.

• A strong correlation was found between lipoprotein(a) levels in cord blood and neonatal venous blood levels (R2=0.95) and there was a moderate correlation of neonatal levels with 2- and 15-months levels (R2=0.68 and 0.67).

• Lipoprotein(a) >42 mg/dL at 15 months was predicted by birth levels ≥90th percentile, with positive predictive values of 89% and 85% for neonatal venous and cord blood.

• There was weak correlation of neonatal and infant levels with parental levels, most pronounced at 15 months (R2=0.22).