Lipoprotein(a) apolipoprotein B and LDL-cholesterol concentration in children with and without family history of atherosclerosis.: Effect of Lp(a) cholesterol on C-LDL values.

The aim of this study was: a) to assess the prevalence in children of elevated Lipoprotein (a) concentration alone, or associated with serum Apolipoprotein B (Apo B) and LDL-Cholesterol (LDL-C), and b) to evaluate the effect of LDL-C correction for Lp(a)-Cholesterol (Lp(a)-C) on the prevalence of hipercholesterolemia in the population studied. Total cholesterol (TC), LDL-C, Apo B, Lp(a) and Lp(a)-C were determined in a group of 126 children aged 12-14 years. The means values observed were: TC, 166 +/- 33 mg/dl (4.30 +/- 0.85 mmol/l); LDL-C 97 +/- 30 mg/dl (2.51 +/- 0.78 mmol/l); Apo B 88 +/- 26 mg/dl; mediana Lp(a), 10 mg/dl (percentil 75, 34 mg/dl). No significant sex-related differences were observed. The children were divided in 2 subgroups according to their family history of atherosclerosis (FH) in parents or/and grandparents. In 57 children with FH, mean serum TC concentration was 173 +/- 38 mg/dl (4.48 +/- 0.98 mmol/l) vs. 161 +/- 27 mg/dl (4.17 +/- 0.67 mmol/l) found in 69 children without FH (p < 0.05). No significant difference was founded between subgroups in LDL-C and Apo B levels, as well as in the prevalence of children with TC < 200 mg/dl (5.17 mmol/l) and LDL-C > 130 mg/dl (3.37 mmol/l) (15.8% vs. 11.6% and 17.5% vs. 13%); LDL-C < 111 mg/dl (2.88 mmol/l) and Apo B > 101 mg/dl (14% vs. 7.2%; p = 0.21); Apo B > 120 mg/dl (14% vs. 5.8%; p = 0.11); Lp(a) > 30 mg/dl (33.3% vs. 27.5%, ns); Lp(a) > 30 mg/dl and LDL-C > 130 mg/dl (7.3% vs 2.9%, ns); Lp(a) > 30 mg/dl and Apo B > 101 mg/dl (3.5% vs. 2.9%, ns). The combination of Lp(a) > 30 mg/dl anal LDL-C > 130 mg/dl or Apo B > 115 mg/dl was present only in the 7% of the children, independently of their FH. Correction of LDL-values for Lp(a)-C did not modified hipercholesterolemia prevalence.