title: Plasma-serum cholesterol differences in children and use of measurements from different specimens.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We aimed to assess absolute plasma-serum differences and differences in ranking of total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC), and TC/HDLC ratio in children.
  
  
  METHODS
  We analysed data of 412 children participating in a Dutch birth cohort. TC, HDLC, and TC/HDLC ratio were determined in plasma at age 8 and 12 years and in serum at age 12 years.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared to serum, plasma TC at age 12 years was 0.07 mmol/l lower (95% CI -0.08 to -0.06), plasma HDLC was 0.06 mmol/l higher (95% CI 0.05-0.07), and plasma TC/HDLC ratio was 0.19 lower (95% CI -0.20 to -0.17) (p < 0.0001). Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) for ranking of TC, HDLC, and TC/HDLC ratio at age 12 years were 0.970, 0.745, and 0.979, respectively. ICCs for ranking of 8- to 12-year change of TC, HDLC, and TC/HDLC ratio were 0.971, 0.957, and 0.955, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cholesterol was systematically different in plasma and serum, and use of plasma would result in a more favourable lipid profile of children (lower TC, higher HDLC, and lower TC/HDLC ratio). Nevertheless, consistency in ranking of children according to plasma or serum cholesterol concentrations was very high. Age-related change in cholesterol can be validly assessed by ranking the difference between serum concentrations at one age and plasma concentrations at another age.
authors: Center for Nutrition, Prevention, and Health Services, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands.
authors: Nina E
authors: NE
authors: Berentzen
authors: Alet H
authors: AH
authors: Wijga
authors: Lenie
authors: L
authors: van Rossem
authors: Johan C
authors: JC
authors: de Jongste
authors: Hendriek C
authors: HC
authors: Boshuizen
authors: Henriëtte A
authors: HA
authors: Smit
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood*; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D009426:Netherlands; D013048:Specimen Handling
chemical_list: D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL