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Levels of lipoprotein(a) and plasma lipids in Spanish children aged from 4 to 18 years
J A Gómez Gerique1, A Porres, D López Martinez
1Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Madrid, Spain.
Insights
Childhood lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] levels, a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, appear stable into adulthood. This study analyzed Lp(a) in Spanish children, finding 15.1% had elevated levels.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Science
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Clinical Chemistry
Background:
- Elevated plasma lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is a significant, independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD).
- Previous research suggests Lp(a) levels established in childhood may persist into adulthood.
- Understanding pediatric Lp(a) is crucial for early CVD risk assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] serum concentrations in a pediatric population.
- To determine the prevalence of elevated Lp(a) levels in children aged 4–18 years.
- To explore the relationship between Lp(a) and other lipid parameters in children.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study of 1970 children (aged 4–18 years) from a Spanish community.
- Measurement of serum parameters including total cholesterol, triglycerides, Lp(a), HDL-C, and LDL-C.
- Statistical analysis to assess Lp(a) levels, sex differences, and correlations with other lipids.
Main Results:
- Mean Lp(a) serum concentration was 15.0 ± 14.7 mg/dL.
- No significant sex-based differences in Lp(a) levels were observed in early childhood.
- 15.1% of children exhibited Lp(a) concentrations exceeding 30 mg/dL.
- An initial correlation between Lp(a) and total cholesterol was noted, which diminished upon adjusting LDL-C for Lp(a)-bound cholesterol.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric Lp(a) levels show a wide distribution, with a notable percentage of children having levels associated with increased cardiovascular risk.
- The findings support the hypothesis of Lp(a) level stability from childhood to adulthood.
- Further research is warranted to understand the long-term implications of pediatric Lp(a) levels on cardiovascular health.
Abstract:
Increased plasma lipoprotein(a)-Lp(a)-levels are linked to a high risk of cardiovascular disease unrelated to other lipoproteins. It seems that Lp(a) values in childhood remain unaltered up to adulthood. In a randomly chosen population of 1970 children, aged from 4 to 18 years and living in a Spanish community, the following serum parameters were studied: total cholesterol, total triglycerides, Lp(a), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Mean Lp(a) serum values were 15.0 +/- 14.7 mg dl-1. No differences were seen between either sex in the first years of childhood. Of the studied children, 15.1% presented Lp(a) concentrations above 30 mg dl-1. A correlation between Lp(a) and total cholesterol concentrations, which disappeared when low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations were corrected according to cholesterol present in Lp(a), was observed.