[Risk factors for atherosclerosis in children: an epidemiologic study].
OBJECTIVE
To obtain a profile of risk factors for coronary atherosclerosis in a pediatric population from Bento Gonçalves, Rio Grande do Sul, from May 1990 to June 1991.


METHODS
One thousand five hundred and one children with ages from 6 to 15 years were studied to assess serum cholesterol levels and their association with other risk factors, such as arterial hypertension, obesity and family history of cardiovascular disease.


RESULTS
Four hundred and twenty (27.98%) children showed cholesterol levels over 180 mg%; 75 (5%) had systolic hypertension and 48 (3.20%) diastolic hypertension. The family history was important to search for risk factors such as hypercholesterolemia, but did not exclude risk factors when negative. One hundred and thirty six (9.06%) children showed hipetriglyceridemia; 155 (10.33%) presented LDL-cholesterol above 130 mg% and showed a strong association with hypercholesterolemia. Obesity was present in 111 children, but none showed a major prevalence of hypercholesterolemia.


CONCLUSIONS
Risk factors for atherosclerosis are present in children and their search should be performed, independent of family income, family history, age and sex. The pediatrician must have a significant role in this setting.
Gerber
Z R
ZR
Instituto de Cardiologia do Rio Grande do Sul/Fundação Universitária de Cardiologia, Porto Alegre.
Zielinsky
P
P
D000293:Adolescent; D001794:Blood Pressure; D002648:Child; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood*; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood*; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000175:diagnosis; D006973:Hypertension / Q000175:diagnosis; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood*
D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D014280:Triglycerides
Factores de risco de aterosclerose na infância. Um estudo epidemiológico.