title: Usefulness of serum apolipoprotein B levels for screening children with primary dyslipoproteinemias.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the use of serum apolipoprotein B levels for screening children with primary dyslipoproteinemia (those with elevated levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol [LDL-C]) and to know the types of dyslipoproteinemias we can identify.
  
  
  METHODS
  Criterion standard.
  
  
  METHODS
  Referral center.
  
  
  METHODS
  We have studied 267 children. Of these, 31 had parents with dyslipoproteinemia, 38 had parents with ischemic heart disease, and 43 had hypercholesterolemia detected by routine analyses. One hundred fifty-five were considered healthy children and comprised the control group.
  
  
  METHODS
  None.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sensitivity was 87% for total serum cholesterol levels and 73% for serum apolipoprotein B levels. Of the children studied, 31 had elevated levels of serum LDL-C. The types of dyslipoproteinemia in children with both elevated levels of serum LDL-C and apolipoprotein B consisted of heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia, found in 12 (50%) of 24 patients; familial combined hyperlipidemia, found in 11 (46%) of 24 patients; and polygenic hypercholesterolemia, found in one (4%) of 24 patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Serum apolipoprotein B level appears to be a good tool for screening children with elevated levels of LDL-C and is equivalent to using total serum cholesterol levels. In children with elevated serum LDL-C and apolipoprotein B levels, we can identify not only patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia but also those with familial combined hyperlipidemia or polygenic hypercholesterolemia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Hospital Clínico Universitario, Lozano Blesa, Zaragoza, Spain.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sarría
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Moreno
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mur
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lázaro
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bueno
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001055:Apolipoproteins B / Q000097:blood*; D002648:Child; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D006951:Hyperlipoproteinemias / Q000097:blood* / Q000145:classification / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012307:Risk Factors; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D001055:Apolipoproteins B; D002784:Cholesterol