Severe hyperlipidemia due to multiple factors in a child with nephrotic syndrome.

An unusual case of severe hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia is described in a child with nephrotic syndrome. The severe hyperlipidemia in this patient was most likely induced by multiple interacting factors which included the metabolic abnormalities of nephrotic syndrome, steroid therapy, the underlying genetic predisposition of ApoE-2 homozygosity as well as diet and diuretic therapy. The result of these factors was an extremely severe type III hyperlipoproteinemia. The pathogenesis of hyperlipidemia in this setting is discussed.