title: The child as proband. High prevalence of unrecognized and untreated hyperlipidemia in parents of hyperlipidemic children.
abstract: The authors evaluated the lipids of parents of hypercholesterolemic children to assess the prevalence of unrecognized and/or untreated hyperlipidemia. Biologic parents of 34 children had measurements of total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, and triglycerides (n = 47) or total cholesterol only (n = 14). Lipid abnormalities were defined according to guidelines established by the National Cholesterol Education Program. Abnormal values were defined as total cholesterol greater than 240 mg/dl, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol greater than 160 mg/dl, HDL cholesterol less than 35 mg/dl, and triglycerides greater than 250 mg/dl. Borderline values were defined as total cholesterol between 200 and 240 mg/dl and LDL cholesterol between 130 and 160 mg/dl. Abnormal values were found in 32/61 (52%) and borderline values were found in 12/61 (20%) parents. Of the abnormal parents, 13/32 (41%) had unrecognized or known but untreated hyperlipidemia, and 9/12 (75%) of the borderline parents had unrecognized abnormalities. In all families where both parents were tested, at least 1 had a lipid abnormality. The authors conclude that when children with hypercholesterolemia are identified, parents should also have lipids assessed. Treatment programs for children should also be directed at the parents.
authors: Department of Pediatrics, Children's Memorial Hospital, Chicago, Illinois 60614.
authors: S S
authors: SS
authors: Gidding
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Whiteside
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Weaver
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Bookstein
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Rosenbaum
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Christoffel
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D008055:Lipids; D014280:Triglycerides; D002784:Cholesterol