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Cardiovascular disease risk factor variables during the first year of life
Insights
Infant cardiovascular risk factors like cholesterol and blood pressure were tracked. Diet significantly correlated with cholesterol levels by age one, offering insights into early arteriosclerosis development.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Cardiovascular Health
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Cardiovascular risk factors are established early in life.
- Understanding infant development of these factors is crucial for long-term health.
- Arteriosclerosis has early developmental origins.
Purpose of the Study:
- To track cardiovascular risk factor variables in infants from birth to one year.
- To investigate the relationship between diet and cardiovascular risk factors in early life.
- To establish a baseline for studying the natural history of arteriosclerosis.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 440 infants was studied.
- Measurements included blood pressure, serum lipids (total cholesterol, beta-lipoprotein, alpha-lipoprotein, triglycerides), and dietary intake (kcal).
- Data were collected at birth, 6 months, and 1 year of age.
Main Results:
- Blood pressure increased from 6 months (93/47 mm Hg) to 1 year (97/51 mm Hg).
- Serum lipid levels, including total cholesterol and lipoproteins, significantly increased from birth to 1 year.
- Serum triglycerides increased from birth to 6 months, then decreased by 1 year.
- Dietary intake increased from 6 months (949 kcal) to 1 year (1,356 kcal).
- A significant correlation was found between serum cholesterol and intake of protein, fat, cholesterol, and carbohydrates at 1 year.
Conclusions:
- Infant cardiovascular risk factor variables evolve significantly during the first year of life.
- Dietary intake is statistically correlated with serum cholesterol levels in 1-year-old infants.
- These findings provide a foundation for understanding the early development of arteriosclerosis risk factors.
Abstract:
Cardiovascular risk factor variables were measured in a cohort of 440 infants at birth 6 months, and 1 year of age. Blood pressures at 6 months of age were 93/47 mm Hg (systolic/diastolic pressure, fourth phase) and 97/51 mm Hg at 1 year of age. Serum total cholesterol, beta-lipoprotein, and alpha-lipoprotein levels rose dramatically from birth to 1 year of age. Serum triglycerides also showed an increase from birth to 6 months of age, but a decrease from 6 months to 1 years of age. At 6 months of age, the infants were consuming 949 kcal and at 1 year, 1,356 kcal. A statistically significant correlation between serum cholesterol level and protein, fat, cholesterol, and carbohydrate intake was noted at 1 year of age. These observations provide a background for tracing the evolution of risk factor variables as part of the early natural history of arteriosclerosis.