[Lipoprotein in children and adolescents: relationship with family history of coronary artery disease].

BACKGROUND

Lipoprotein (a) is considered an independent cardiovascular risk factor.

AIM

To study lipoprotein (a) levels in children of 18 years old or less with or without family history of coronary artery disease.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Forty four children aged between 3 and 18 years old with a family history of coronary artery disease and 44 age and sex matched controls were studied. A fasting blood sample was obtained to measure total, HDL and LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, A1 and B apoproteins and lipoprotein (a).

RESULTS

Compared to controls, children with a family history of coronary disease had higher total cholesterol (177 +/- 35 and 159 +/- 23 mg/dl respectively), LDL cholesterol (112 +/- 34 and 94 +/- 21 mg/dl respectively), triglycerides (89 +/- 38 and 71 +/- 25 mg/dl respectively), apoprotein B (85 +/- 17 and 65 +/- 13 mg/dl respectively) and lipoprotein (a) (40 +/- 50 and 22 +/- 31 mg/dl respectively). Thirty two percent of children with positive family history had lipoprotein (a) levels over 30 mg/dl, compared to 23% of controls.

CONCLUSIONS

Children with family history of coronary artery disease have higher levels of cholesterol, triglycerides and lipoprotein (a) than matched controls.