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Effect of weaning on serum lipoprotein(a) concentration: the STRIP baby study
T Routi1, T Rönnemaa, H Lapinleimu
1Cardiorespiratory Research Unit, University of Turku, Finland.
Insights
Infant feeding practices, specifically weaning from breast milk, influence serum lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] levels. Early weaning may lead to higher Lp(a) concentrations, a risk factor for heart disease.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Cardiovascular Health
- Nutrition Science
Background:
- High serum lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] concentration is a risk factor for coronary heart disease in adults.
- Previous research suggests breast milk may beneficially affect infant serum Lp(a) levels.
- Infant feeding practices, including weaning, may impact early development of cardiovascular risk factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the influence of infant feeding and weaning on serum lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] and cholesterol concentrations.
- To compare Lp(a) levels in infants fed breast milk, formula, or a combination.
- To investigate the long-term effects of infant diet on Lp(a) levels up to 36 months of age.
Main Methods:
- Serum Lp(a) and cholesterol levels were measured in 414 infants at 7, 13, 24, and 36 months of age.
- Infants were categorized at 7 months into three feeding groups: breast milk only, breast milk and formula, or formula only.
- Changes in Lp(a) concentrations were tracked following weaning and introduction of cow's milk.
Main Results:
- At 7 months, infants fed formula only had significantly higher median serum Lp(a) concentrations compared to those receiving breast milk.
- By 13 months, infants weaned from breast milk showed a greater increase in Lp(a) compared to those fed formula or a combination.
- Serum Lp(a) concentrations became similar across all feeding groups by 13 months and remained so at 24 and 36 months.
Conclusions:
- Infant feeding practices, particularly the type and duration of breast milk consumption, influence early serum Lp(a) concentrations.
- While initial differences exist, weaning and transition to cow's milk lead to comparable Lp(a) levels by 13 months.
- These findings highlight the dynamic relationship between infant nutrition and cardiovascular risk factor development.
Abstract:
Risk for coronary heart disease is increased in adult Caucasians with high serum lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] concentration. In adults the concentration is mainly regulated by genetic factors. Our previous study suggests that breast milk has a beneficial effect on serum Lp(a) concentration in infants. Now we analyzed the influence of weaning by measuring serum Lp(a) and cholesterol in 414 infants at 7, 13, 24, and 36 mo of age. At 7 mo the infants received, in addition to solid food, only breast milk (n = 148), breast milk and formula (n = 74), or formula only (n = 191). Median (range) serum Lp(a) concentrations were then 25 (< or = 12-743) mg/L, 35 (< or = 12-1188) mg/L, and 45 (< or = 12-577) mg/L in the three feeding groups, respectively (p = 0.0013). Breast milk and formula were changed to cow's milk in all infants before 12 mo of age. At 13 mo serum Lp(a) concentration had increased more in infants who were weaned from breast milk than in those who had been fed both breast milk and formula, or formula only (median increases 37, 26, and 20 mg/L, respectively; p = 0.0062). Thus the serum Lp(a) concentration was similar in all feeding groups at 13 mo. This finding was also observed at 24 and 36 mo. The increase in serum Lp(a) concentration was independent of the baseline Lp(a) level, apolipoprotein E phenotype, gender, and weight gain of the infants between 7 and 13 mo.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)