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Hypercholesterolemia in Thai primary school children: relation to maternal and nutritional factors

Uruwan Yamborisut1, Pongtorn Sungpuag, Wanphen Wimonpeerapattana

  • 1Division of Human Nutrition, Institute of Nutrition, Mahidol University at Salaya, Nakhon Pathorn, Thailand.

Pediatrics International : Official Journal of the Japan Pediatric Society
|October 22, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Maternal cholesterol, child obesity, and high energy intake are linked to high blood cholesterol in children. Family-based interventions are crucial for preventing heart disease risk factors.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Cardiology
  • Nutritional Science
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Atherosclerosis risk factors, including elevated cholesterol, are present in children.
  • Understanding maternal and nutritional influences on pediatric blood cholesterol is vital.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of maternal and nutritional factors on blood cholesterol levels in primary school children.
  • To identify key determinants of hypercholesterolemia in a pediatric population.

Main Methods:

  • Cross-sectional study of 195 mother-child pairs categorized by weight status.
  • Anthropometric measurements, serum lipid analysis, and maternal interviews on dietary habits.
  • Multivariate logistic regression to identify significant risk factors.

Main Results:

  • Hypercholesterolemia prevalence varied by child's weight status (64.6-65% in obese, 24.3% in wasted, 56% in normal-weight).
  • Significant predictors of hypercholesterolemia included maternal serum cholesterol (OR 2.41), child obesity (OR 2.56), and high energy intake (OR 2.59).

Conclusions:

  • Pediatric hypercholesterolemia is associated with familial factors, body weight, and nutrient intake.
  • Elevated cholesterol levels were observed even in normal-weight and wasted children.
  • Urgent need for family-centered interventions to mitigate coronary heart disease risk factors.
Abstract

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