[Serum lipids in Down's syndrome].

In 28 patients with Down syndrome and in 28 controls matched for age and sex serum lipoproteins and their main lipid constituents were determined. Both groups comprised subjects living in the same institutions for mentally retarded No significant differences were found between the two groups in total serum lipids, triglycerides, total cholesterol and phospholipid levels and in the proportion of esterified cholesterol and beta-lipoproteins. No characteristic pattern of alpha and beta lipoproteins could be observed in patients with Down syndrome by means of electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gel. Alanine aminotransferase activity was significantly higher in the group of patients.