Serum lipoprotein profile in children from a biracial community: the Bogalusa Heart Study.

Serum lipoprotein profiles in 3182 children, ages 5-14 years, were studied in a biracial community as part of the Bogalusa Heart Study to describe the early natural history of atherosclerosis. White and black children showed similar mean levels of beta-lipoproteins. Pre-beta-lipoprotein levels, however, were significantly higher in white shildren, while significantly higher levels of alpha-lipoprotein were found in black children. Girls had generally higher levels of beta- and pre-beta-lipoprotein and lower levels of alpha-lipoprotein than boys, although the differences were not significant at each age group. With age there was little change in alpha-lipoprotein levels, a significant increase in pre-beta-lipoprotein levels and a slight but significant decrease between 11 and 14 years in beta-lipoprotein levels. The correlation of alpha-lipoprotein was negative with beta-lipoprotein and, to a greater extent, with pre-beta-lipoprotein. The above inverse relationships were significantly greater in white children than in black children, suggesting differences in lipoprotein profiles in the two groups. Lipoprotein values from a total community study are now available for comparison with the currently recommended upper normal limits for lipoproteins. Since only a very small percentage of children could be considered as hyperlipoproteinemic by those specific levels in this community, we suggest that distributions and percentiles be used to evaluate children for hyperlipoproteinemia.