Hypertriglyceridemia in a pediatric referral practice: experience with 300 patients.
BACKGROUND
Pediatric hypertriglyceridemia is an emerging comorbidity of childhood obesity.


METHODS
This study reviewed medical records retrospectively to describe the characteristics and clinical course of 300 at-risk children followed in a pediatric preventive cardiology clinic.


RESULTS
Average baseline triglyceride (TG) level was 269 mg/dL (SD 342 mg/dL); 91% had TG levels between 150 and 399 mg/dL. A total of 77% were overweight/obese, 23% had elevated blood pressure, 23% had a family history of high triglycerides, and 11% reported a psychiatric diagnosis (33.3% of those with severe TG elevations). Diet and activity change were the first-line therapies; few were taking lipid-lowering medications (baseline, 5.1%; follow-up, 11.4%). TG levels declined by 23% (average, 88 mg/dL; SD 231), often with a decline or plateau in TG risk category. Children with a lower body mass index (<85% gender- and age-matched percentile) were more likely to improve in TG category than heavier children (70% vs 40%; P ≤ .05).
de Ferranti
Sarah D
SD
Department of Cardiology, Children's Hospital Boston, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA. sarah.deferranti@cardio.chboston.org
Crean
Sheila
S
Cotter
Jill
J
Boyd
Dylan
D
Osganian
Stavroula K
SK
D000293:Adolescent; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015228:Hypertriglyceridemia / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood; D050177:Overweight / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology; D010372:Pediatrics; D011320:Primary Health Care; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood*; D055815:Young Adult
D014280:Triglycerides