Cholesterol levels in Italian school children: results of an opportunistic survey.
OBJECTIVE
A high prevalence of elevated serum total cholesterol (TC) levels has been described among Italian children. Universal screenings for TC have been suggested, though present recommendations are in favour of more selective and opportunistic surveys. Aim of the study was to assess TC distribution among 13-year-old schoolchildren in Central Italy. Further aim was to evaluate the indications for universal, selective or opportunistic screenings for TC.


RESULTS
Children were examined opportunistically within a permanent screening programme for Mediterranean anemia carried out in the Lazio Region. TC was measured by dry chemistry in 3734 boys and 3644 girls aged 13 years from 77 schools in 37 municipalities. Results were grouped for 8 geographically and demographically similar areas. Mean TC was 137.6 mg/dl in boys and 144.3 mg/dl in girls. Desirable levels (< 170 mg/dl) were observed in about 90% of the children and fewer than 2% displayed levels indicative of genetic hypercholesterolemia (> 200 mg/dl). However, in two areas mainly populated by descendants from Northern Italy mean TC was remarkably high (158.7 and 152.2 mg/dl in boys and 164.5 and 160.0 in girls) and the percentage with desirable levels dropped to 68.6% and 74.7%.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results show average good TC levels among Italian schoolchildren in Central Italy. This is probably due to their traditional Mediterranean diet. It can thus be suggested that only selective and/or opportunistic screenings for TC are indicated. However, in some areas where fewer children have desirable levels and almost 30% require dietary education, large-scale screenings are highly recommended.
Angelico
F
F
Istituto di Terapia Medica Sistematica, Università di Roma La Sapienza, Italy.
Hurtova
M
M
Liuti
A
A
Francioso
S
S
Urbinati
G
G
D000293:Adolescent; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology*; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D015995:Prevalence
D002784:Cholesterol