Serum lipid and lipoprotein cholesterol grids for cardiovascular risk screening of children

J. L. Cresanta, S. R. Srinivasan, L. S. Webber and G. S. Berenson

We determined serum lipid and lipoprotein percentiles from a total community study of 5,250 fasting children (35% black, 65% white), aged 2 to 19 years. A serum turbidity index was used as a rapid, inexpensive screening test for hyper-beta-lipoproteinemia and hyper-pre-beta-lipoproteinemia. Percentile grids for the turbidity index and serum total cholesterol and beta-lipoprotein cholesterol levels may be used for either black or white children. Triglyceride and pre-beta-lipoprotein cholesterol level percentile grids were reported by race because of lower levels in black children, while grids for alpha-lipoprotein cholesterol levels were reported separately by sex for black and white subjects. A five-step method was outlined for screening children for lipid and lipoprotein abnormalities. Those with hyper-beta-lipoproteinemia and hyperpre-beta-lipoproteinemia would be candidates for therapy and indicate screening of other family members, after secondary causes are excluded.