Indian J Pediat 51 : 637-641, 1984 Free fatty acids and triglycerides in normoglycemic low birth weight newborns in early neonatal period P.K. Misra, M.D., D.I~ Tiwari, M.D., B. Sharma, M.D. and R. Kaul, M.D. Free fatty acids, triglycerides and blood sugar were estimated in 45 Iowhirth weigh t which included" 24 preterrn and 21 small for gestational age term babies, in the cord blood, in the fasting state at 6• h of age, and after initiation of sugar water feeds at24• h of age. Thirty six appropriate for gestational age, term newborns were taken as controls. None of the newborns were born to diabetic mothers or had hypoglycemia. Mean cord blood sugar levels in all the groups were similar ranging between 69.55 to 73.7 mg/dl, followed by a fall in all at 6• h and subsequent rise at24• levels were significantly lower in LBW newborns compared to controls. Means FF, I~ levels were lowest in babies with a gestation of 28-32 weeks (0.27m Mol/L), being almost similar to controls (0.35 mMol/ L) in preterm 33-36 weeks (0.32 mMol/L) and higher than controls in SGA (0.48 mMol/L). An inverse rela tionship with blood sugar level was seen in serial estimations. SGA neonates con ttnued to show higher and preterm (28-32 weeks) lowest levels throughout the study period. Triglycerides in cord blood were 36.72 mg/dl, 38.33 mg/dl, 56.23 mg,/dl and 40.11 mg percent in preterm 28-32 weeks, 33-36 weeks, SGA term and controls respectively. Levels showed a steady rise during the study period. Key words: Free fatty acids, triglycerides, blood sugar low birth weight newborns, SGA newborns, AGA term new- borns, normoglycemle_ A close relationship exists between the metabolism of glucose and free fatty acids. Glucose may be the precursor of fatty acids and glycerol in adipose tissue in the forma- tion of depot triglycerides and also regulates the mobil•177 of fatty acids. In utero, the fetus is supplied with a constant infusion of glucose and essential fatty acids besides other nutrients. Immediately after birth, when this maternal supply is cut off, it has been shown that fatty acids become an important substitute of carbohydrates dur- ing the first few hours oflife, t Changes in the Department of Pediatrics, King George's Medical College, Lucknow. Reprint requests : Dr. P.K. Misra levels of blood sugar and lipids are expected to take place during this period. However, concomitant studies on this aspect par- ticulary in the low birth weight newborns are meagre and none has been reported from India. In the present work the interrelati- onship between the blood lipids and sugar in the low birth weight newborns in the early neonatal period has been studied. Material and Methods Blood sugar (B.S.) free fatty acids (FFA) and triglycerides (TG) were estimated in 45 low birth weight newborns which comprised of 24 preterm appropiate for gestational age (AGA) and 21 term small for gestational age