PLASMA-LIPID AND APOLIPOPROTEIN CONCENTRATIONS IN FULL-TERM INFANTS FED FORMULA SUPPLEMENTED WITH LONG-CHAIN POLYUNSATURATED FATTY-ACIDS AND CHOLESTEROL

Recent data indicate that supplementation of infant formula with omega -3 and omega-6 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids might offer deve lopmental benefits for full term infants. We investigated biochemical consequences of feeding formula supplemented with egg lipids to provid e long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids and compared triglyceride, ch olesterol, lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL2-cholesterol, HDL3-cholesterol , non-HDL-cholesterol) and apolipoprotein A-I, A-II and B concentratio ns in full term infants fed either conventional formula (n = 10) or a formula supplemented with omega-3 and omega-6 long-chain polyunsaturat ed fatty acids and cholesterol in amounts similar to those found in ma ture human milk (n = 12). At the age of 5 days, cholesterol, non-HDL-c holesterol and triglyceride concentrations were significantly higher i n infants fed supplemented than in those receiving conventional formul a. At the age of 30 days, triglyceride concentrations were significant ly higher with supplemented than with conventional formula. Thereafter throughout the study, no significant differences were seen between th e two groups. Conclusion Full term infants fed formula supplemented wi th omega-3 and omega-6 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids and chol esterol showed significantly higher plasma cholesterol and triglycerid e concentrations than infants receiving conventional formula on day 5 and on days 5 and 30, respectively. Thereafter no appreciable effect o f diet on plasma phospholipid, triglyceride, cholesterol, lipoprotein cholesterol and apolipoprotein concentrations were seen.