Dyslipidemia in Children with Family History of Premature Coronary Heart Disease

Abstract

Dyslipidemia in Children with Family History of Premature Coronary Heart Disease*

Supapan     Tantracheewathorn          MD**

Lamul          Chukeatwatana                 BSc (Med Tech)***

* This work was supported by The Vajira Research Fund (annual research fund 2000)

** Department of Pediatrics, BMA Medical College and Vajira Hospital

*** Department of Central Laboratory, BMA Medical College and Vajira Hospital

Objective: To study the prevalence and type of lipid disorders in children with family history of premature coronary heart disease.

Study design: Cross - sectional study.

Subjects: Eighty-eight children (age 6-16 years) whose parents or grandparents had coronary heart disease before the age of 55 and attended to cardiology clinic, Department of Medicine, BMA Medical College and Vajira Hospital from June 1999 to December 2000.

Methods: Simple random sampling was conducted to recruit the patients with premature coronary heart disease. Lipid screening [total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglyceride (TG)] was performed in 88 children from the high risk families and their parents.

Main outcome measures : Number of dyslipidemic children, total cholesterol, HDL-C, LDL-C, triglyceride.

Results : Of the 88 children, 25 (28.4%) had abnormal lipid profiles. The most common type of lipid disorder in the children was elevated TC and LDL-C (48%). Abnormal lipid profiles in both children and parents (familial hyperlipoproteinemia) were found in 7 families (10.8%). There was significant correlation between children - father TC and LDL-C (p < 0.01, r = 0.50 and 0.34 respectively). Dyslipidemic children consumed more fat and had higher mean blood pressure than normal children (p < 0.05).

Conclusion The prevalence of dyslipidemia in children with family history of premature coronary heart disease was 28.4% which was higher than general Thai children. Lipid screening should be done in these high risk children for early detection, treatment and prevention of dyslipidemia and its complications.

Key words : dyslipidemia, family history, premature coronary heart disease

Vajira Med J 2001 ; 45 : 207 - 215