Detection of hyperlipoproteinemia: Family lipid studies in normal school children and with diabetes mellitus

Abstract

The possible relationship between hypercholesterolemia and the development of cardiovascular disease makes the early detection of lipid abnormalities of major importance. A screening technique [precipitable lipoprotein analysis (PLP)] for the detection of abnormalities of blood lipid and lipoprotein concentrations was carried out on 487 normal children in a public junior high school (80% of the school enrollment). Serum cholesterol (G) and lipoprotein electrophoresis (LPE) were obtained on all students with PLP values >40 units and on a comparable number with PLP values 200 mg%) was 8.6%. Abnormalities of LPE occurred in 25%. The parents and sibs of 26 children with hypercholesterolemia and, for comparison, the parents and sibs of 28 children with diabetes mellitus were studied for total lipid (TL), C, PLP, and LPE. The mean ages of the mothers, fathers, and sibs in the 2 groups are comparable. Unexpectedly TL and C concentrations were statistically higher in the families of hypercholesterolemic children than in the diabetic families. Abnormalities of LPE were also more common in the former group. Hypercholesterolemia is common in “normal” school children. Family studies in this population will lead to the detection of many adults with hyperlipoproteinemia and an increased probability of developing vascular disease.