Dietary fatty acids and cholesterol in the first 2 years of life.

Both long-chain polyunsaturated (LCP) fatty acids and cholesterol are supplied by human milk. Dietary long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in the first 2 years of life have been associated with growth and developmental indices. Cholesterol supply does not seem relevant for structural purposes, but could have a role in the metabolism of LCP. Complex relationships between dietary fatty acids and cholesterol seem to be major determinants of blood lipid levels in the first months of life. Data from both suckling and weaned infants indicate that their blood lipid profile reacts to changes in their diet in a manner similar to adults. Early intervention trials on weaned infants (<2 years of age) have been addressed in populations at high risk for early cardiovascular disorders and seem safe for growth at short-term assessments, but the balance of all the macronutrients should be carefully considered. While the effects of plasma cholesterol concentrations in the suckling infant on the subsequent development of atheroslerosis are still unknown, both the diet composition and the way by which food is supplied to infants seem to be major determinants of their metabolic profile.