Lipid abnormalities in Turner syndrome

Turner syndrome is associated with insulin resistance, increased incidence of type II diabetes, and hypertension, all of which are cardiovascular risk factors. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the lipid profile of girls with untreated Turner syndrome, (aged 5 to 14 years; 68% 45,XO) and age-matched, normal girls. A total of 137 girls with Turner syndrome and 70 normal girls had lipid profile measurements, including cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglycerides. Older girls with Turner syndrome (> 11.0 years) had increased cholesterol levels (p < 0.01), compared with control values (190 +/- 38 vs 165 +/- 26 mg/dl). Cholesterol levels were elevated in older subjects with Turner syndrome versus normal subjects, after adjustment for age, karyotype, and body mass index z score effects (p = 0.01). In the subjects with Turner syndrome but not the normal subjects, serum cholesterol values correlated with age, weight, and body mass index z score (p < 0.02). We conclude that adolescent girls with untreated Turner syndrome have significantly increased cholesterol levels, independent of age, body mass index z score, or karyotype, and that these precede any treatment with exogenous estrogen or growth hormone.