ABSTRACT. The neonatal serum lipid transport system FF, formula fed was monitored in the 1st month of life to determine the LCAT, lecithin cholesterol acyltransferase impact of oral feeding (breast versus formula). Lipid and apolipoprotein levels were measured in the serum of normal newborn infants collected a t birth, 3, 14, and 28 days of age. Fatty acid and neutral lipid studies were determined by gas-liquid chromatography and apo~~poprote~n levelsThe human infant in utero is supplied with nutrients via the were done by e~ectroimmunoassay. Following collection of placenta, with the principal caloric source being carbohydrate data, the results were divided into two groups correspond-(1). In this state, the serum lipids and apolipoproteins are at low ing to breast-fed (BF) or formula-fed (FF) infants. o n l y levels when compared to levels seen in adults (2-4). Shortly after triacylglycerols a t 3 days of age were significantly higher birth, the plasma lipid transport system changes rapidly as the ( p < 0.04) in FF infant serum when to BF levels. neonate's caloric source converts from primarily carbohydrate Unesterified cholesterol levels in both groups were similar to a mixed 'Ource including fat (5). As others have shown (6, 71, a t all intervals, the cholesterol esters were higher a t 1 4 the earliest changes in plasma lipoproteins have no and 28 days in BF infants. A~~A -I and A~~B levels were relation to the introduction of nutrient intake by mouth but are higher at days in F~, but ~~~c -1~~ levels were the same. related to other changes associated with the transition to posta l~ other sampling times, no discernible differences in partum life. Otherwise, the beginning of oral fat consumption is these parameters were found between B F and FF. For the with increased plasma lipids. infants as a group, changes in levels with increasing age TO extend previous studies on the developmental aspects of were similar for both ApoA-I and cholesterol esters, a s plasma lipid transport (2,4, 8-10), the authors undertook a study was the case for ApoB and triacylglycerols. However, on changes in this transport system during early postpartum life. numerous differences between BF and FF were seen in We evaluated changes in the serum lipids and apolipoproteins molecular forms of triacylglycerols and cholesterol esters, following feeding in the first 4 wk of life. To assure that factors reflecting the dietary fatty acid differences between breast previously affect levels ( l l ) played no role, only milk and formula. Analyses of the fatty acid content of normal newborn infants defined by strict criteria were included these two diets demonstrated that human breast milk con-in the study. In addition, since a new variable was being added, tained twice as much palmitic and oleic acid but only one-i.e. feeding, the authors elected to compare the effects of breast half the linoleic acid of formula. In summary, little differ-feeding and formula feeding on serum lipid and apolipoprotein ence in serum lipid classes and apo~~poprote~n ...