Recent studies have found that some minerals are associated with lipoprotein metabolism, peroxidation and coronary heart disease. The present study was designed to obtain information on the relationship between the concentrations of minerals and trace elements and those of lipids, lipoproteins and apolipoproteins (Apo) in cord blood. Seventy-nine healthy singleton normoweight full-term newborns without foetal distress according to Apgar scores were studied. The quartile distribution of neonates, according to serum concentrations of the different minerals studied, displayed significant differences in lipid values between infants in the lowest and highest quartiles of: magnesium, for HDL-cholesterol, Apo A-I, Apo B and the HDL-cholesterol/Apo A-I ratio; iron, for HDL-cholesterol and the HDL-cholesterol/Apo A-I ratio; copper, for triglycerides and the LDL-cholesterol/Apo B ratio. With the exception of calcium, several significant correlations were found between the minerals and trace elements and the lipids, Apo and lipoproteins tested. The present data suggest for the first time that minerals and trace elements appear to be involved in the lipoprotein metabolism, particularly in HDL levels, at birth. Moreover, the zinc/copper ratio was positively correlated with total cholesterol and the LDL-cholesterol/Apo B ratio, while negatively with triglycerides, suggesting a role for the balance between these trace elements and the LDL metabolism and particle size.