Abstract
Short stature is associated with increased LDL-cholesterol levels and coronary artery disease in adults. We investigated the relationship of stature to LDL levels in children in the West Virginia Coronary Artery Risk Detection in Appalachian Communities (CARDIAC) Project to determine whether the genetically determined inverse relationship observed in adults would be evident in fifth graders. A cross-sectional survey of schoolchildren was assessed for cardiovascular risk factors. Data collected at school screenings over 18 years in WV schools were analyzed for 63,152 fifth-graders to determine relationship of LDL to stature with consideration of age, gender, and BMI. The first (shortest) quartile showed an LDL level of 93.6 mg/dl compared with an LDL level of 89.7 mg/dl for the fourth (tallest) quartile. Each incremental increase of 1 SD of height lowered LDL by 0.049 mg/dl (P < 0.0001). Multivariate analysis showed LDL to vary inversely as a function of the first (lowest) quartile of height after controlling for gender, median age, BMI percentile for age and gender, and year of screening. The odds ratio for LDL ≥ 130 mg/dl for shortest versus tallest quartile is 1.266 (95% CL 1.162-1.380). The odds ratio for LDL ≥ 160 mg/dl is 1.456 (95% CL 1.163-1.822). The relationship between short stature and LDL, noted in adults, is confirmed in childhood.
Highlights
Supplementary key words low-density lipoprotein genetics big data registry data coronary artery risk detection in Appalachian children (CARDIAC) registry
That work was performed by a combination of different registries, allowing data from 200,000 persons, including genotype data from 18,249 persons to be examined. Spurred by this association of short-stature genes with higher LDL and CVD, we have investigated our CARDIAC database to question whether the inverse relationship between stature and LDL will be observed in childhood
The relationships of cholesterol or CVD to height have not been explored in the major cohorts that study cardiovascular risk factors in children, such as Bogalusa Heart Study, Muscatine or in analyses of the National Health and Education Nutrition Examination Survey other than to note that a greater change in height predicts a larger LDL decrease over time [5,6,7]
Summary
Beginning with CARDIAC yearly screenings of fifth-graders in 2003, cholesterol levels, family history of CVD, and anthropomorphic measurements were systematically obtained from 63,152 school children whose parents signed a WVU IRBapproved consent to gather the child’s data, including lipid panel by venipuncture. The relationship of height percentile (first vs fourth quartile) to LDL was considered for the group of fifth graders, for boys only and girls only, and for older and younger (median-split) fifth graders to investigate whether any significant effect of advancing sexual maturity could be assessed by comparing younger to older children.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
