Serial analysis of plasma lipids and lipoproteins from individuals 9-21 y of age.

Total cholesterol (TC) and low-density- (LDL-C) and high-density-lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) concentrations were recorded annually from 9 to 21 y of age to study tracking and predictive values for adulthood lipid concentrations associated with cardiovascular disease. The tracking coefficients for TC and LDL-C were congruent to 0.7 for 4-, 6-, and 12-y intervals, indicating good predictive value at ages 9-11 y for risk of elevated concentrations at ages 19-21 y. Tracking of HDL-C was less marked but the patterns were similar. The risk ratios for high concentrations at 19-21 y were 3.8 for TC, 2.6 for LDL-C, and 4 for HDL-C for 9-y-olds with values of 5.17 mmol/L for TC, 3.36 mmol/L for LDL-C, and 0.90 mmol/L for HDL-C, relative to 9-y-olds with values of 4.65 mmol/L for TC, 2.84 mmol/L for LDL-C, and 1.29 mmol/L for HDL-C.