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Determinants of plasma cholesterol in children--a family study
Insights
Early childhood diet and maternal factors significantly influence children's cholesterol levels. Breastfeeding history and dietary fat ratios are key predictors for healthy cholesterol development.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Nutrition Science
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Genetic and maternal factors are known influences on plasma cholesterol.
- This study aimed to identify familial and environmental variables affecting children's cholesterol levels.
Observation:
- Data were collected from 74 families when children were 2.5 years old, including blood samples, dietary histories, and anthropometric measurements.
- Dietary factors correlated with children's cholesterol but not parents'.
- Cord blood cholesterol levels did not predict later measurements.
Findings:
- Children's total cholesterol was predicted by breastfeeding history, dietary poly-unsaturated/saturated fatty acid ratio, maternal alcohol/fat intake, paternal cholesteryl esters, and maternal hematocrit (r=0.53).
- Free cholesterol prediction included similar variables (r=0.52).
- Esterified cholesterol variation was predicted by breastfeeding, child's protein/caloric intake, maternal cholesterol levels, and maternal proteinuria (r=0.69).
Implications:
- Early childhood interventions focusing on diet and maternal health are crucial for preventing adult hypercholesterolemia.
- Understanding these early life factors is vital for studying normal cholesterol development.
- These findings highlight the importance of early life nutrition and maternal health on children's long-term cardiovascular health.
Abstract:
Twin and family studies have revealed genetic and maternal influences on plasma cholesterol. This study was designed to identify familial and environmental variables related to cholesterol levels in children. Volunteer families (n = 74) were obtained from a previous study of cord blood cholesterol. When the children were 2.5 years old, blood samples, dietary histories, heights, weights, and skinfold thicknesses were obtained. Dietary variables were significantly correlated with plasma cholesterol levels in children but not in their parents. Stepwise multiple regression was used to identify sets of variables predictive of plasma cholesterol fractions of these children. For plasma total cholesterol, the set included previous history of breast feeding (versus formula), child's current dietary poly-unsaturated/saturated fatty acid ratio, maternal alcohol and fat consumption, paternal cholesteryl esters, and maternal hematocrit (r = 0.53). Free cholesterol had a similar predictive variable set (r = 0.52). More variation in esterified cholesterol of children was predicted (r = 0.69) by history of breast feeding, child's current protein and caloric intake, maternal total and esterified cholesterol, and proteinuria during pregnancy. Cord blood cholesterol was not predictive of any later cholesterol measurement. These correlations of children's plasma cholesterol with multiple factors emphasize the importance of focusing on very early childhood for study of both the normal developmental pattern of human cholesterol and intervention to prevent adult hypercholesterolemia.