Concentrations of Cholesterol in Serum of Infants in Relation to Diet

Abstract

The demonstration of fatty streaking of the intima of arteries in the early months of life suggests the possibility that development of atherosclerosis may have its beginning at this age. Kube and Sslowjew¹ rarely found fatty deposits in the aortas of stillborn infants or of those dying during the first month of life but were able to demonstrate such deposits in aortas of 66 of 80 infants (85.2%) dying between 1 and 6 months of age. Several authors have reported atherosclerotic changes in the coronary arteries in the early months of life,^2-5 and Lober⁶ has demonstrated that the greatest annual change in infiltration of the intima occurs in the first year of life. The increased incidence of atherosclerosis in subjects with hypercholesterolemia has been amply documented, although it is not yet clear whether the association has etiologic significance. For the reasons mentioned, differences in concentrations of cholesterol