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Establishing reference total serum cholesterol values for Saudi children
Z S Rafii1, A A al Nasser, A Budair
1King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Insights
Saudi children aged 0-14 years show normal total serum cholesterol levels comparable to American children. Findings suggest changing dietary habits and increased affluence in Saudi Arabia influence these results.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Nutritional Science
- Public Health
Background:
- Serum cholesterol levels in children are crucial indicators of cardiovascular health.
- Limited data exists on cholesterol levels in Saudi pediatric populations.
- Global trends suggest varying cholesterol levels based on socioeconomic and dietary factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the total serum cholesterol levels in a cohort of Saudi children aged 0-14 years.
- To compare these levels with international data, specifically from American children.
- To explore potential correlations with age, gender, and socioeconomic factors.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study involving 1320 healthy Saudi children aged 0-14 years.
- Measurement of total serum cholesterol using standardized laboratory methods.
- Statistical analysis to compare levels across age groups, genders, and with published American data.
Main Results:
- The mean total serum cholesterol was 3.88 (0.83) mmol/L, with no significant gender-based differences.
- Cholesterol levels were lowest in the 0-4 year age group and highest in the 5-9 year age group.
- Established percentile values for Saudi children were comparable to those of American children.
Conclusions:
- Saudi children exhibit total serum cholesterol levels similar to their Western counterparts.
- These findings may reflect evolving dietary patterns and increasing economic prosperity in Saudi Arabia.
- Further research is warranted to understand the long-term implications of these cholesterol levels.
Abstract:
Total serum cholesterol was measured in 1320 normal Saudi children aged 0-14 years. The result was 3.88 (0.83) mmol/L [mean (SD)] and there was no statistical difference between girls and boys. Results were lowest in the 0-4 year age group and highest in the 5-9 year age group. Percentile values were established for three age groups and compared with those published for American children; no statistical differences were observed. Unlike other developing countries Saudi children do not have lower serum cholesterol than their western counterparts. We believe that these findings reflect changing dietary habits and increasing affluence in Saudi Arabia.