Triglyceride concentrations in neonatal foals: Serial measurement and effects of age and illness.
Authors: Berryhill E H, Magdesian K G, Kass P H, Edman J E
Journal: Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997)
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Triglyceride Concentrations in Neonatal Foals Triglyceride metabolism in neonatal foals remains poorly characterised, yet understanding normal age-related changes and aberrant patterns in sick animals could provide valuable diagnostic information in critical cases. Berryhill and colleagues conducted serial serum triglyceride measurements in seven healthy foals at birth, 1–2 days and 10–12 days of age, and compared these with measurements from sick foals and their dams, examining associations with bacterial infection and survival outcomes. Healthy foals showed marked age-dependent variation, with triglyceride concentrations rising three-fold from a median of 28 mg/dL at birth to 89 mg/dL by 24–48 hours before declining to 60 mg/dL by 10–12 days; importantly, individual foals demonstrated fluctuations of up to 117 mg/dL within a single day, and sick foals with positive bacterial cultures or non-surviving cases had significantly elevated triglycerides (median 111 mg/dL and 116 mg/dL respectively) compared to negative cultures or survivors (53 mg/dL and 55 mg/dL). These findings suggest that whilst peak triglyceridaemia is physiologically normal in the first 48 hours of life, persistently elevated concentrations beyond this window—particularly when accompanied by clinical signs of infection—may serve as a marker of systemic bacterial disease and poor prognosis, warranting heightened clinical vigilance and investigation in affected neonates.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Triglyceride concentration varies significantly by age in neonatal foals, with highest values at 1-2 days old; clinicians should interpret triglyceride results within the context of foal age
- •Elevated triglycerides in sick foals may indicate bacterial infection or poor prognosis; combined with bacterial culture results, triglyceride measurement could support clinical decision-making in septic foals
- •Single triglyceride measurements may be misleading due to hourly fluctuations of up to 117 mg/dL; serial measurements improve diagnostic reliability in sick neonates
Key Findings
- •Triglyceride concentrations in healthy neonatal foals peaked at 1-2 days of age (median 89 mg/dL) compared to immediately postpartum (28 mg/dL) and 10-12 days (60 mg/dL)
- •Hourly triglyceride fluctuations of up to 117 mg/dL occurred in individual foals, indicating significant variability within a single day
- •Sick foals with positive bacterial cultures had significantly higher triglycerides (median 111 mg/dL) than those with negative cultures (median 53 mg/dL)
- •Non-surviving foals had higher triglycerides (median 116 mg/dL) than surviving sick foals (median 55 mg/dL), suggesting a potential prognostic indicator