Normal reference values for serum lipid levels in Chinese adolescents between 12 and 18 years of age

The purpose of this study was to develop representative gender- and age-specific percentile reference data for serum lipids for Chinese adolescents between 12 and 18 years of age. Blood samples were obtained from 2998 boys and 3225 girls in nine provinces from the mainland of China, including rural and urban areas. The data for serum lipid levels, including TC, TG, HDL-C and LDL-C, were calculated and measured between March and June 2008. Gender- and age-specific percentiles of serum lipid levels were calculated. Gender- and age-specific percentile-based reference data for serum lipids is presented for Chinese adolescents for the first time. The 95th percentile for the TC, TG and LDL-C levels was 5.07, 1.90 and 3.32 mmol/l, and the 5th percentile for the HDL-C level was 0.92 mmol/l among all the students. These reference values can be used to plan and implement preventive policies, and to study temporal trends.