Concurrent and subsequent serum cholesterol of breast- and formula-fed infants

Animal studies have suggested that feeding a high-cholesterol diet early in life will reduce serum cholesterol of later life. We tested this hypothesis by comparing the serum cholesterol of breast-fed children and bottle-fed children. The former type of feeding has a cholesterol content 26-52 mg of cholesterol/8 ounces, and the latter type of feeding has 4 mg/2 ounces. Serum cholesterols were determined by the Wybenga technique. At the end of 4-6 months, both groups were switched from their original feeding to skim milk. The parents were counseled to avoid high-cholesterol content foods such as eggs and to limit the intake of the more moderate cholesterol dietary forms. Our objective was to achieve a cholesterol intake of 200 mg/day for both groups. The serum cholesterol was evaluated at the following ages: 2-4 months, 12 months, 18-24 months, and 15-19 years. The same child was not necessaryily followed longitudinally. Our results indicate that breast-fed children had significantly higher serum cholesterols than bottle-fed children at ages 2-4 months and 12 months. After 1 year, no significant difference in serum cholesterol was found when the two groups were compared. We concluded that no protection against high serum cholesterol in later life occurred as the result of initial feedings high in cholesterol.