Influence of dietary intervention on growth in children with hypercholesterolaemia.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether a moderately reduced fat diet affects longitudinal growth in children with hypercholesterolaemia with a mean duration of 7.42 +/- 1.93 y.


METHODS
Subjects with hypercholesterolaemia, total cholesterol above 5.18 mmol/L and LDL-cholesterol above 3.49 mmol/L (n = 144; 69 males and 75 females) from 2 to 13 y of age were studied. Patients were seen in our outpatient department for regular health check-ups. Weight and height were measured every year. At the same time, cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-C, HDL-C, A-apoprotein and B-apoprotein levels were analysed. Furthermore, degrees of compliance at 1 mo, 6 mo and each year after starting the dietary treatment were determined.


RESULTS
No significant change in height or weight was found after fat restriction. In contrast, significant reductions in total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and B-apoprotein levels of 19%, 24% and 14%, respectively, were detected. Finally, no significant differences were seen in HDL-cholesterol, A-apoprotein or triglycerides.


CONCLUSIONS
These data support the hypothesis that growth is not influenced by moderate fat restriction in healthy children who otherwise have normal nutrition.
Sánchez-Bayle
M
M
Division of Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Childhood and Adolescence, University Autónoma, Department of Paediatrics, Hospital Infantil Universitario Niño Jesús, Madrid, Spain.
Soriano-Guillén
L
L
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D018752:Diet, Fat-Restricted; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006128:Growth / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies
D004041:Dietary Fats; D008055:Lipids