Infant blood lipids: a systematic review of predictive value and influential factors

Introduction: Blood lipid screening recommendations begin at ages 9-11 years, despite poor adherence and evidence of fatty streaks in coronary arteries by 3 years of age. For cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention, there may be value in earlier measurement of blood lipids. Areas covered: The present systematic review examines evidence concerning total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, high-density lipoprotein, and triglycerides during the infant period. Included are studies examining the extent to which infant blood lipids predict later values in childhood and factors that influence their magnitude. A total of 38 articles (published from 1965 to 2013) met inclusion criteria and were examined in this review. Expert opinion: Longitudinal data suggest correlative relationships in all lipid values around 6 months of age, except for TRG. Influential factors related to blood lipids in infancy include sex, race, family history, feeding, gestational length, birth weight, and maternal factors. Clinical measurement of infant lipids could perhaps provide an early marker of CVD and a target of early CVD prevention strategies. The identification of personal characteristics that associate with high or low values in each lipid could become important in the early identification of vulnerable populations and the promotion of personalized CVD prevention.