Does type of feeding in infancy influence lipid profile in later life?

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To compare the lipid profile of exclusively breastfed and mixed-fed, term, appropriate for gestation age infants from 6 mo to 1 y of age. METHODS: This prospective comparative study included one hundred ninety nine consecutive term healthy infants; 105 on exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) and 94 receiving mixed feeding (MF). These children were recruited at 6 mo of age and followed till 1 y of age. Serum lipid levels of babies were determined at recruitment (6 mo), 9 mo and 1 y of age. Statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS software. RESULTS: The mean total cholesterol (TC) at 6 mo in exclusively breastfed group (156.38 ± 50.42 mg/dl) was significantly higher than mixed fed group (139.5 ± 37.59 mg/dl). At 9 mo, high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and triglycerides (TG) levels were significantly different in EBF group than MF group. The lipid profile of both group of babies was comparable at 1 y of age. The HDL-C LDL-C ratio was significantly different between the two groups (higher in breastfed group) at 1 y. CONCLUSIONS: The present study highlights differential lipid profile of exclusively breastfed infants and mixed fed infants.