[Serum cholesterol levels in children aged 4-14 years]

Total serum or plasma cholesterol levels in children aged 4, 6, 10 and 14 years were investigated. The studies included children from kindergartens and schools of Wola and Ochota Districts of Warsaw. Examination was performed on 1289 children (667 girls and 622 boys). 362 children (199 girls and 163 boys) of 10 years old group were in nonfasting state, residual children from all groups were in fasting state. Mean values of cholesterol levels in children aged 4 and 6 years were similar (161,6 +/- 27 vis 161,8 +/- 27 mg per 100 ml). The trend towards decrease of cholesterol levels with age was observed. Cholesterol levels in fasting (156,2 +/- 24,6 mg per 100 ml) and nonfasting (180,0 +/- 25 mg per 100 ml) 10 years groups of children were statistically significant (p less than 0,001). Percentile and percentage distribution of cholesterol levels below mean value, above mean +/- 1 SD, above 200 and 230 mg per 100 ml is presented for all investigated age groups. In the investigated population of children cholesterol levels greater than 200 mg per 100 ml occurred in 3,2-7,2% in boys and 0-11,6% in girls dependent on age. Respectively values greater than 230 mg per 100 ml were in 0-1,2% for boys and 0-2,1% for girls.