Hereditary dyslipidaemias and combined risk factors in children with a family history of premature coronary artery disease

• Published in: Archives of disease in childhood Vol. 82; no. 4; pp. 292 - 296
• Main Authors: Sveger, T, Flodmark, C-E, Nordborg, K, Nilsson-Ehle, P, Borgfors, N
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health 01.04.2000; BMJ; BMJ Publishing Group LTD; BMJ Group
• Subjects: Age; Apolipoproteins; Biological and medical sciences; Blood pressure; Body Composition; Cardiovascular disease; Children & youth; Cholesterol; Community Child Health, Public Health, and Epidemiology; coronary artery disease; Coronary vessels; Disorders of blood lipids. Hyperlipoproteinemia; dyslipidaemia; Families & family life; Family medical history; Grandparents; Heart Disorders; Low density lipoprotein; Medical sciences; Metabolic diseases; Obesity; Parents & parenting; preventive cardiology; Risk factors; Triglycerides; Human; Premature; Cardiovascular disease; Metabolic diseases; Lipids; Hereditary; Coronary heart disease; Genetic disease; Prevention; Family story; Risk factor; Diagnosis; Dyslipemia; Child
• ISSN: 0003-9888; 1468-2044
• DOI: 10.1136/adc.82.4.292

AIM Schoolchildren aged 10–11 with a family history of premature coronary artery disease (CAD), were examined in order to identify children with genetically determined dyslipidaemias and a combination of risk factors. METHODS A total of 4000 questionnaires were distributed by the school; 55% of the families answered and returned the questionnaire. Blood lipids, apolipoprotein B, and Lp(a) lipoprotein were analysed in high risk children and their parents. RESULTS A family history of premature CAD in parents or grandparents was identified in 208 families; 175 agreed to take part in a clinical examination and laboratory tests. Normal blood lipid tests were found in 89 children. Another 48 had an isolated increase of Lp(a) lipoprotein of minor clinical importance. Of the remaining 38 children, 23 had non-hereditary abnormalities of low (LDL) or high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol or apolipoprotein B. Fifteen children were suspected to have genetically determined dyslipidaemias or a combination of risk factors: in four, possible familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH); in five, possible familial combined hyperlipidaemia; in three, hereditary low HDL cholesterol; and in three a combination of high LDL cholesterol and Lp(a) lipoprotein concentrations. In addition, possible FH was detected in eight of the parents. CONCLUSION It is worthwhile asking parents about the occurrence of premature CAD among their child's closest relatives.