Reference values for lipid profile in Iranian children and adolescents: the CASPIAN-V study

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Endocrinology
• Clinical Biochemistry
• Public Health Nutrition

Background:

• Establishing normative data for lipid profiles in pediatric populations is crucial for cardiovascular risk assessment.
• Previous studies have not comprehensively addressed age- and sex-specific lipid reference values for Iranian children and adolescents.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop age- and sex-specific reference values for lipid profiles in the Iranian pediatric population.
• To provide a basis for identifying dyslipidemia in Iranian children and adolescents.

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from a national surveillance survey encompassing 3843 participants aged 7-18 years.
• Analyzed fasting lipid profiles, including triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C).
• Statistical analysis focused on age- and sex-based comparisons and trend identification across different percentiles.

Main Results:

• Significant gender-based differences were observed for TG, TC, LDL-C, and non-HDL-C (P < 0.05).
• Lipid levels demonstrated varied trends with age and sex, with notable differences in TC, LDL-C, and HDL-C patterns between boys and girls.
• TG/HDL-C ratio increased with age, particularly in older age groups and higher percentiles for both genders.

Conclusions:

• Age- and sex-specific reference values are essential for accurate interpretation of lipid parameters in pediatric populations.
• The findings underscore the need for distinct cut-off values for Iranian children and adolescents, considering gender and age variations.
• This study provides foundational data for future research and clinical guidelines in pediatric dyslipidemia management.