Plasma lipids and apolipoproteins in breastfed and formula-fed Swedish infants

This study was carried out to compare plasma lipid pattern in breastfed and formula-fed infants and the effects of exchanging breast milk for formula and of introducing weaning foods. Healthy infants, exclusively breastfed at least until 3 mo, were at this age randomly assigned to infant formulas wi th similar fat composition. Formula was gradually introduced when breastfee ding was discontinued. One group continued to breastfeed beyond 6 mo of age . All infants received the same weaning foods and were studied between 3 an d 12 mo of age. Decreased plasma concentrations of total and low-density li poprotein cholesterol (TC, LDL-C), apolipoprotein B (apo B) and Al (p < 0.0 01), and of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (p < 0.05) were found when breast milk was exchanged for formula before 6 mo. At this age plasma TC, LDL-C and apo B were lower in formula-fed than in breastfed infants (p < 0. 001). These plasma lipids then increased (p < 0.01) when the intake of form ula decreased and that of weaning foods increased. However, plasma TC and/o r LDL-C remained lower at 12 mo in formula-fed than in breastfed infants (p < 0.05). Our results indicate that the plasma lipid profile of infants is highly responsive to the dietary nutrient intake, as indicated by the decre ase in plasma lipids and apolipoproteins when boast milk was exchanged for formula and by the increase in these concentrations when the intake of wean ing foods gradually increased.