['Factors determining lipoprotein concentrations in the fetus are not yet fully understood. We postulated that an important factor is the genetic make-up of the mother. In the present study, we examined the associations between the cord blood concentrations of lipoproteins of 525 newborns and the polymorphisms present in their mothers on the genes of apolipoprotein E (APOE*E2, *E3, *E4), apolipoprotein C-III (APOC3*C3238G also called APOC3*S2) and lipoprotein lipase (LPL*S447X).', 'Newborns born of mothers with APOE*E2 allele had significantly lower cord blood LDL-C (P < 0.01) and apoB (P < 0.01) and significantly higher cord blood HDL-C and apoA1 (all P-values < 0.03) compared to those born of mothers with APOE*E3E3 genotype. These associations were independent of the presence of APOE*E2 allele in the newborns. Similarly, APOC3*S2 in mothers was associated with significantly lower (all P < 0.001) cord blood LDL-C, apoB, HDL-C and apoA1. In contrast, LPL*S447X in mothers lowered significantly cord blood LDL-C and apoB only when LPL*S447X was present in newborns. Most of the effects of these maternal polymorphisms on the newborns were independent of the changes of maternal lipoproteins generated by these polymorphisms.'] Are lipoprotein concentrations in newborns associated with allelic variations in their mothers?