The Child as Proband High Prevalence of Unrecognized and Untreated

The authors evaluated the lipids of parents of hypercholesterolemic children to assess the prevalence of unrecognized and/or untreated hyperlipidemia. Biologic parents of 34 children had measurements of total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, and triglyc-erides (n = 47) or total cholesterol only (n = 14). Lipid abnormalities were defined according to guidelines established by the National Cholesterol Education Program. Abnormal values were defined as total cholesterol greater than 240 mg/dl, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol greater than 160 mg/dl, HDL cholesterol less than 35 mg/dl, and triglycerides greater than 250 mg/dl. Borderline values were defined as total cholesterol between 200 and 240 mg/dl and LDL cholesterol between 130 and 160 mg/dl. Abnormal values were found in 32/61 (52%) and borderline values were found in 12/61 (20%) parents. Of the abnormal parents, 13/32 (41%) had unrecognized or known but untreated hyperlipidemia, and 9/12 (75%) of the borderline parents had unrecognized abnormalities. In all families where both parents were tested, at least 1 had a lipid abnormality. The authors conclude that when children with hypercholesterolemia are identified, parents should also have lipids assessed. Treatment programs for children should also be directed at the parents