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Relationship between genetic and environmental factors and hypercholesterolemia in children
Jorge A Robledo1, Leonardo J Siccardi2
1Programa Interinstitucional de Prevención y Educación en Salud (PIPES), Jovita, Córdoba, Argentina. pipes.jovita@gmail.com.
Insights
Pediatric hypercholesterolemia is linked to family history and socioeconomic status. Parental high cholesterol significantly predicts the condition in children, aiding early screening.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Cardiology
- Genetics
Background:
- Pediatric hypercholesterolemia rates have risen, necessitating identification of contributing factors.
- Understanding genetic and environmental influences is crucial for effective screening guidelines.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate associations between genetic/environmental factors and childhood hypercholesterolemia.
- To evaluate the predictive value of specific outcome measures for hypercholesterolemia.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study involving 382 students aged 6-12 years.
- Data collected included cholesterol levels, family medical history (FMH), socioeconomic level (SEL), nutritional status, physical activity, and eating habits.
- Statistical analysis used odds ratios (OR) to assess associations and diagnostic tests for predictive values.
Main Results:
- 13.4% of students had hypercholesterolemia (mean cholesterol 168 mg/dL).
- Positive FMH, high/middle SEL, and obesity were associated with hypercholesterolemia (ORs 2.10-2.05).
- Parental hypercholesterolemia showed a strong association (OR 9.59) and predictive potential.
Conclusions:
- Positive family history, higher socioeconomic status, and obesity are significant risk factors for pediatric hypercholesterolemia.
- Parental hypercholesterolemia is a strong predictor and valuable screening criterion for identifying at-risk children.
Introduction:
Pediatric hypercholesterolemia has increased over the past decades. Knowing the environmental and genetic factors that have an impact on it would allow establishing more adequate screening guidelines.
Objetives:
To determine if there is an association between genetic and environmental factors and hypercholesterolemia in children. To assess the predictive qualities of outcome measures associated with hypercholesterolemia.
Material And Methods:
Observational, analytical, cross-sectional study.
Population:
students from all schools located in Jovita. Age: >> 6 and < 12 years old. The total cholesterol level was measured. A survey was administered to parents to assess their family medical history (FMH) and socioeconomic level (SEL). Weight and height were recorded to establish nutritional status. A survey was administered to children to identify their level of physical activity and their eating habits. The association was assessed by estimating the OR value (p < 0.05). Diagnostic tests were done to establish outcome measures that predict hypercholesterolemia.
Results:
Three hundred and eighty-two students were included. Their mean cholesterol level was 168 mg/dL, and 13.4% had hypercholesterolemia. A sedentary lifestyle was observed in 22.8%, and obesity, in 10.5%. A positive FMH, a high/ middle SEL, and obesity were associated with hypercholesterolemia (OR: 2.10, 2.10 and 2.05, respectively). No association was found between physical activity and fat/cholesterol intake and hypercholesterolemia. A positive FMH and a high/middle SEL were sensitive enough (75% and 88%) to predict hypercholesterolemia. The presence of hypercholesterolemia inboth parents in relation to hypercholesterolemia in their child showed an OR of 9.59, a sensitivity of 73%, a specificity of 71%, a positive predictive value of 57%, and a negative predictive value of 83%.
Conclusions:
A positive FMH, a high/ middle SEL, and obesity were associated with hypercholesterolemia in children. The presence of hypercholesterolemia in both parents was associated with hypercholesterolemia in their child and showed itself to be a great potential predictor and screening criterion.
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