Metabolic relations of serum lipids and lipoproteins in diabetic children.

Serum lipids and lipoproteins of 29 insulin dependent diabetic children have been determined and related to the metabolic status of the patients. The findings were compared to results obtained in 30 healthy children. The diabetic children showing unsatisfactory metabolic parameters had significantly higher total lipid and total triglyceride levels than did the healthy children (p less than 0.01). All diabetic children, independently of their metabolic status, exhibited an increased low density lipoprotein cholesterol level (p less than 0.01). On the other hand, high density lipoprotein cholesterol levels found in diabetics did not differ from normal values and showed no relationship with their metabolic status. Prevention of vascular complications of diabetes must be started in childhood by attentive care directed to all details of the pathomechanism.