Longitudinal changes of lipid profile in the Lebanese pediatric population

Few studies looked at the prevalence of dyslipidemia in pediatric Middle-Eastern countries. In addition, worldwide longitudinal changes of lipid profile is not well documented. The purpose of this study is to look at the longitudinal changes of lipid parameters in Lebanese school-age children.

A total of 97 subjects (41 girls and 56 boys) aged between 11 and 21 years were included in this study. The subjects were selected among 339 school-age children with a previous abnormal lipid profile who were recruited from 10 schools of varying socio-economic levels (SEL). A fasting lipid profile [total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG) and HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C)] was performed. Non-HDL-cholesterol (Non-HDL-C) was calculated. Weight and height were measured under the same conditions, and BMI percentiles were calculated. A multivariate covariance analysis model (MANCOVA) was used with TG, HDL-C and non-HDL-C as dependent variables with additional post-MANCOVA F tests.

The age of the current cohort is 16.5 ± 2.9 years with no significant difference according to gender. The current lipid profile was obtained 3.1 ± 0.7 years following the initial one, with 53.6% of the subjects having it normalized. TC, TG, and non-HDL-C decreased significantly over time in girls, while only TG decreased significantly in boys. No significant changes were observed for HDL-C. Using MANCOVA, a significant time by age interaction was observed (p < 0.0001), while gender, BMI and SEL were found not to be significant. Post-hoc F tests showed that the time by age interaction was driven by TG (p = 0.03) and non-HDL-C (p < 0.001), the larger effect being observed in younger children.

A high proportion of school-age children normalize their abnormal lipid profile with time. Screening for lipid disorders could be postponed until post puberty age.