Hypercholesterolemia and associated cardiovascular risk factors in young children and adolescents.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence of hypercholesterolemia (HPC) and associated risk factors for cardiovascular disease, in young children and adolescents.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study, with stratification for age and gender.


METHODS
Primary Care study.


METHODS
572 young children and adolescents, five through seventeen years of age in the year 2000, with no known previous personal history of cardiovascular disease, representing the Portuguese population for age and gender.


METHODS
Measurement of cholesterol on an occasional whole blood sample, along with anthropometric measures, blood pressure measurement, and study of family history for cardiovascular disease factors.


RESULTS
291 males and 281 females. HPC prevalence of 17.6% (male = 15.1% and female = 20.3%, ns), girls presenting with higher mean values of total cholesterol (184.75 +/- 13.27 vs. 180.27 +/- 10.44, p = 0.06). Obesity prevalence of 35.4%, and arterial hypertension of 6.6%. HPC is more common among those with positive family history for cardiovascular disease risk factors (p = 0.01). Pulse pressure is lower in the hpc group (p = 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
A hypercholesterolemia prevalence of 17.6% was found among children and adolescents, with strong association of family history for cardiovascular disease risk factors. In the light of these results, much further work will be needed to achieve reduction--or at least control--of this very important risk situation.
Santiago
Luiz Miguel
LM
rdd50646@mail.telepac.pt
Sá
Olinda
O
de Carvalho
Isabel Maria
IM
Rocha
Maria da Graça
Mda G
Palmeiro
Lineu
L
Mesquita
Eugénia Paula
EP
Jorge
Suzana
S
D000293:Adolescent; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors