Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 19, 2026
Assessing Whole-Body Lipid-Handling Capacity in Mice
Published on: November 24, 2020
Study on the reference values of serum lipids in children aged 3-18 years old in Beijing, China
Ying Liao1, Jie Mi, Yanfei Wang
1Department of Pediatrics, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, PR China.
Insights
This study establishes serum lipid reference values for Beijing children aged 3-18. Findings reveal distinct lipid profiles across age groups and genders, with implications for pediatric health monitoring.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Clinical Biochemistry
- Public Health
Background:
- Establishing normative serum lipid reference values is crucial for pediatric health assessment.
- Previous data on serum lipid profiles in Chinese children is limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine reference values for serum lipids in healthy children aged 3-18 in Beijing.
- To analyze age- and gender-specific variations in lipid levels.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 1071 healthy children (3-18 years) in Beijing was studied.
- Serum total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), LDL-C, and HDL-C were measured using a Hitachi 7600 analyzer.
- Reference values were determined using percentile cut-offs (75th/95th for TC, TG, LDL-C; 5th/25th for HDL-C).
Main Results:
- Serum TC, HDL-C, and LDL-C peaked between 6-9 years, declining in adolescence.
- Serum TG levels increased continuously with a plateau from 6-14 years.
- Gender differences observed in TG (higher in females 10-14 yrs) and HDL-C (higher in females 15-18 yrs).
- Obese/overweight children showed higher TG/LDL-C and lower HDL-C.
Conclusions:
- This study provides essential serum lipid reference data for Chinese children in Beijing.
- Beijing children's TC levels are lower than those in Japan, Iran, and France, but higher than in Italy.
Background:
The present study was designed to explore the reference values of serum lipids in children in Beijing.
Methods:
A total of 1071 healthy children from Beijing between 3 and 18 years of age were enrolled and divided into four groups: A, 3-5-year-old group; B, 6-9-year-old group; C, 10-14-year-old group; and D, 15-18-year-old group. Blood samples were obtained from the cubital veins of the participants under a fasting condition. A Hitachi 7600 Automatic Biochemistry Analyzer was used to determine the serum levels. The cut-off points of reference values were the 75th and 95th percentiles for total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) while the 25th and 5th percentiles were used for high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) concentrations.
Results:
The highest 95th percentiles of TC among the four groups were 5.34 mmol/L for boys and 5.11 mmol/L for girls. Compared with those of boys, female TG levels were obviously higher in the 10-14-year-old group (P < 0.05) and HDL-C levels were significantly higher in the 15-18-year-old group (P < 0.05). The serum TC, HDL-C, and LDL-C all peaked during the 6-9-year-old period and then declined during the adolescent stage. Also, the serum TG continuously increased with a relative plateau during the 6-14-year-old period. Obese and overweight children had higher TG and LDL-C levels but lower HDL-C levels.
Conclusion:
This study showed a picture of the serum lipids distribution in Chinese children and found that their TC levels were lower than those of children in Japan, Iran, and France, but were higher than those of Italian children.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System III: Serum Lipid Profile
Serum lipids are fats and fatty substances in the blood and are crucial for various bodily functions, including energy storage, cellular structure, and hormone production. Serum lipids consist of cholesterol, triglycerides, and phospholipids.
Cholesterol is a soft, fat-like substance found in all body cells. It is crucial for producing hormones, vitamin D, and substances that aid...
01:18Lipids: Dietary Sources and Requirements
01:29Cholesterol: Significance and Regulation
Considering cholesterol and...
01:31Lipid-derived Compounds in the Human Body
Fat-soluble Vitamins
Fat-soluble vitamins, including vitamins A, D, E, and K, are required in minimal quantities, but their deficiencies can lead to severely abnormal physiological conditions. For example, vitamin A deficiency can cause night blindness, dry skin, delayed...