Longitudinal changes of lipid profile in the Lebanese pediatric population

Abstract

BackgroundFew studies looked at the prevalence of dyslipidemia in pediatric Middle-Eastern countries. In addition, worldwide longitudinal changes of lipid profile is not well documented. The purpose of this study is to look at the longitudinal changes of lipid parameters in Lebanese school-age children.Materials and methodsA total of 97 subjects (41 girls and 56 boys) aged between 11 and 21 years were included in this study. The subjects were selected among 339 school-age children with a previous abnormal lipid profile who were recruited from 10 schools of varying socio-economic levels (SEL). A fasting lipid profile [total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG) and HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C)] was performed. Non-HDL-cholesterol (Non-HDL-C) was calculated. Weight and height were measured under the same conditions, and BMI percentiles were calculated. A multivariate covariance analysis model (MANCOVA) was used with TG, HDL-C and non-HDL-C as dependent variables with additional post-MANCOVA F tests.ResultsThe age of the current cohort is 16.5 ± 2.9 years with no significant difference according to gender. The current lipid profile was obtained 3.1 ± 0.7 years following the initial one, with 53.6% of the subjects having it normalized. TC, TG, and non-HDL-C decreased significantly over time in girls, while only TG decreased significantly in boys. No significant changes were observed for HDL-C. Using MANCOVA, a significant time by age interaction was observed (p < 0.0001), while gender, BMI and SEL were found not to be significant. Post-hoc F tests showed that the time by age interaction was driven by TG (p = 0.03) and non-HDL-C (p < 0.001), the larger effect being observed in younger children.ConclusionA high proportion of school-age children normalize their abnormal lipid profile with time. Screening for lipid disorders could be postponed until post puberty age.

Circulating PCSK9 Linked to Dyslipidemia in Lebanese Schoolchildren

“…We also interestingly found in post-menarchal girls, a significant positive correlation between serum PCSK9 levels and TC, LDL-C, and non-HDL-C a finding not observed in premenarchal girls. This finding can be explained by the change in lipid profile with age as we previously reported in the same cohort [24]. In this study, we found that 53.6% of school children have normalized their abnormal lipid profile after a 3-years follow-up.…”

“…Dyslipidemia is highly prevalent in Lebanon in both adults [21,22] and children [19,23,24]. In our previous study, we found that the prevalence of high non-HDL-C, high TG, and high Lp(a) in Lebanese school children are, respectively, 9.2%, 26.6%, and 14.4% [23,24]. However, PCSK9 has never been measured in Middle Eastern pediatric populations.…”

Identification of Factors Influencing Cholesterol Changes in Elementary-School Children: A Longitudinal Study

“…Previous studies indicated an association between lifestyle factors and cholesterol levels in children, suggesting the significance of nutritional knowledge, behavior, and physical activity for the maintenance of cholesterol levels within the reference range [2,12,[25][26][27][28]. Moreover, an association between obesity and dyslipidemia has been observed in pediatric populations [22].…”

Universal Lipid Screening Among 9- to 11-Year-Old Children: Screening Results and Physician Management

“…This contrasts with results from a study conducted in Lebanon, where a high proportion of school-age children (53.6%, 52/97 children) were found to normalize their abnormal lipid profile after 3 years. 27 However, it is important to note that these 97 Lebanese children who had a follow-up lipid profile after 3 years were from an original study group of 339 children with an abnormal lipid profile, meaning that the longitudinal group represented only 28.6% of those with dyslipidemia.…”