Serum cholesterol and triglycerides in childhood nephrotic syndrome in northern Nigeria. A preliminary report.

Serum total cholesterol and triglycerides were measured in 18 nephrotic and 14 control children. The values of the two lipids were significantly elevated in nephrotic children. The control values also were elevated when compared with normal values in Nigerian adults. There was a positive linear correlation between serum total cholesterol and triglycerides, so that one of them could be used for follow-up of patients. Hyperlipidaemia constitutes an additional factor in the poor prognosis of Nigerian children with nephrotic syndrome. Longitudinal studies of serum lipids in nephrotic children are advocated.