Serum Cholesterol Levels of Australians and Natives of New Guinea From Birth to Adulthood

Summary The serum cholesterol concentration of newborn infants was the same for Australians (70 milligrammes per moo millilitres) as for natives (68 milligrammes per 100 millilitres). Measurements were also made of phospholipids, total fatty acids and lipoprotein fractions for Australian newborn infants and their mothers. There was no significant correlation between the lipid levels of mother and child. The cholesterol concentration doubled within one year in both races and then rose steadily with age in Australians and fell gradually in the natives to adult levels. Possible causes of this acquired deviation are discussed, especially the differences in dietary fat and protein.