[Comparison of serum lipid concentrations in umbilical artery, umbilical vein and maternal vein blood (author's transl)].

Maternal serum lipids and lipids in umbilical artery and umbilical vein blood were examined immediately after delivery in order to relate maternal and fetal lipid metabolism. Total lipids, phospholipids, triglycerides, total cholesterol, cholesterol esters and free cholesterol were determined. The comparison of arterial and venous umbilical lipid levels showed a significantly higher concentration of phospholipids in the umbilical vein, indicating an enhanced flux of phospholipids from the placenta to the fetus. A positive correlation is established for the amounts of total lipids (p less than 0,05), triglycerides (p less than 0,01), phospholipids (p less than 0,05) and free cholesterol (p less than 0,005) between maternal and umbilical vein blood. It is suggested that free cholesterol passes the placental barrier unchanged. The other correlations are discussed as the expression of a factor influencing simultaneously the maternal and fetal lipid metabolism.