Diet therapy for hypercholesterolemia in children and adolescents. A follow-up.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effectiveness and compliance of dietary restriction in a group of children and adolescents with hypercholesterolemia.


METHODS
Prospective clinical trial.


METHODS
Pediatric hospital in Madrid, Spain.


METHODS
Four hundred fifty-one children and adolescents of both sexes aged 2 to 18 years diagnosed as having hypercholesterolemia and treated with dietary restriction (American Heart Association Step-One and Step-Two Diets). The follow-up period ranged from 6 months to 2 years and was performed by one pediatrician.


RESULTS
Total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and apolipoprotein B-100 levels as well as the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio decreased significantly (P < .01) from the first month of dietary restriction, whereas the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level increased (P < .01). The apolipoprotein A-I level increased significantly (P < .01) only after 6 months of diet therapy. After 12 months of follow-up, 30.7% (58/189) of patients did not follow the diet strictly. In this group, significantly higher levels of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and apolipoprotein B-100 were found.


CONCLUSIONS
Diet therapy is effective in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia in children and adolescents. Dietary restriction has a beneficial effect not only on total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels but also on apolipoprotein A-I and B-100 levels.
Sanchez-Bayle
M
M
Hospital del Niño Jesus, Madrid, Spain.
Gonzalez-Requejo
A
A
Baeza
J
J
Arnaiz
P
P
Vila
S
S
Asensio
J
J
Ruiz-Jarabo
C
C
D000293:Adolescent; D001053:Apolipoproteins / Q000032:analysis; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000097:blood / Q000178:diet therapy*; D008297:Male; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
D001053:Apolipoproteins; D014280:Triglycerides; D002784:Cholesterol