LIPID PROFILE IN NORMAL HEALTHY CHILDREN

One hundred and fifty healthy children in the age group of 0-12 years were studied to establish normal levels of lipid profile. They were divided into six equal groups viz., newborns, 0-1 year, 1-4 years, 4-7 years, 7-10 years and 10-12 years. The mean values ± SD for total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides were 70 ± 14.48 mg/dl, 35.1 ± 8.04 mg/dl, 23.8 ± 10.62 mg/dl and 50.9 ± 20.77 mg/dl respectively for male neonates and 71.8 ± 13.96 mg/dl, 34.6 ± 6.55 mg/dl, 25.5 ± 9.29 mg/dl and 57.2 ± 18.57 mg/dl respectively for female neonates. These values increased to 158.7 ± 21.23 mg/dl, 60.7 ± 11.70 mg/dl, 80.3 ± 19.26 mg/dl, 86.7 ± 28.80 mg/dl in males and 161.6 ± 23.09 mg/dl 66.7 ± 8.75 mg/dl, 75.8 ± 20.26 mg/dl and 93.2 ± 44.09 mg/dl in females respectively between 10-12 years of age, The various lipid fractions were at the lowest level at birth and increased significantly during first year of life, there after showing a much slower rise in levels. There was no significant difference in values between male and female children.