Introduction
IUGR, coronary heart disease, TG, CVD
INTRAUTERINE GROWTH RESTRICTION, CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES, CVD, IUGR, ADIPOSITY, CORONARY HEART DISEASE
Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is a significant public health problem with significant perinatal mortality and morbidity.Neonates with IUGR were reported to have abnormal lipid profiles. High triglycerides (TG) and low high density lipoprotein (HDL) levels in neonates with IUGR may be due to enhanced cholesteryl ester transfer, which could explain why neonates with IUGR have a higher risk of coronary heart disease later in life.Leptin adjusts dietary intake, body mass, and has a significant role in the fetal development, angiogenesis, and lipolysis. Trials reported that the level of serum leptin is reduced during fasting or energy restriction and increased during re-feeding, overfeeding, and surgical stress.Understanding the leptin and cholesterol metabolism in the fetus and neonates is very critical, not only for the nourishment of neonates but also for the strategies to decrease the future recognized risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in fetuses with IUGR.Higher intake of anti-inflammatory omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in pregnancy has been associated with lower adiposity, higher birth weight and longer gestation.There is a paucity of trials that focus mainly on the omega 3 effect on leptin serum level in neonates with IUGR. Therefore, our study aimed to assess the effect of omega 3 supplementation on serum leptin level and lipid profile in neonates with IUGR.