PEDIATRICS Vol. 27 No. 5 May 1961, pp. 765-771
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DIETARY FAT AND CONCENTRATIONS OF LIPID IN THE SERUM DURING THE FIRST SIX TO EIGHT WEEKS OF LIFE

M. J. Sweeney M.D.1, J. N. Etteldorf M.D.1, W. T. Dobbins M.D.1, B. Somervill M.D.1, R. Fischer Ph.D.1, and C. Ferrell M.A.1

1 Pediatric Research Laboratory, Division of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee, and Frank T. Tobey Memorial Children's Hospital, City of Memphis Hospitals, LeBonheur Children's Hospital, St. Joseph's Hospital and St. Peter's Orphanage, Memphis

Four different diets were fed to four groups of infants from shortly after birth until 6 to 8 weeks of age. Diet I was derived entirely from animal sources and provided approximately 35% of its calories as butterfat. Diet II was derived entirely from non-animal sources and provided approximately 35% of its calories from a blend of soya and coconut oils. Diet III was derived from both animal and non-animal sources and provided approximately 40% of its calories from a blend of corn, coconut and olive oils. Diet IV was also derived from both animal and non-animal sources and provided approximately 50% of its calories from a blend of oleo, coconut and corn oils. The amount of linoleic acid, a long-chain fatty acid containing two double bonds, provided by Diets II, III and IV was 20 to 30 times greater than that supplied by Diet I.

Total lipid, total cholesterol, free cholesterol, ester cholesterol, ester cholesterol fatty acid and phospholipid concentrations in serum were significantly greater in the infants receiving Diet I than in infants receiving Diets II, III and IV at 6 to 8 weeks of age. No significant differences were found in the lipid concentrations of the infants receiving Diets II, III and IV.

Because they do not throw any conclusive light on the relationship between dietary fat and the pathogenesis and epidemiology of atherosclerosis, our results do not justify recommendations concerning the type of fat to be fed to an infant in this regard. However, they do demonstrate the possibility and feasibility of maintaining relatively low lipid concentrations in serum during infancy if such should ever become desirable.