Lipid profile in the progeny of parents with ischemic heart disease

Lipid profile of 50 offsprings of parents with ischemic heart disease and 15 control children aged 5-16 years was studied. The children in both the groups were categorized into 3 sub groups, 5-10, 11-15 & > 15 years. The Serum total cholesterol levels (mean +/- S.D) (in mg/dl) in the test group were 169.8 +/- 15.13, 173.34 +/- 33.56, 177.4 +/- 27.89 respectively for the 3 age subgroups. The Serum LDL cholesterol levels (mean +/- S.D) (in mg/dl) in the test group were 102.2 +/- 15.25, 95.13 +/- 30.38, 101.09 +/- 26.96 respectively. The serum total cholesterol levels (mean +/- S.D) (in mg/dl) in the control group were 123 +/- 1.33, 118 +/- 7.51 and 127.4 +/- 5.77 respectively for the 3 age subgroups. The serum LDL cholesterol levels (mean + S.D) (in mg/dl) in the control group were 56.64 +/- 8.75, 43.36 +/- 6.10 and 45.16 +/- 6.78 respectively. The serum total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels in the test group were significantly higher as compared to controls (p > 0.05). Among test subjects, 54% had elevated total cholesterol (> 170 mg/dl) and 38% had elevated LDL cholesterol (> 110 mg/dl). These cases had a significant correlation with elevated parental total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels (p > 0.05). Thus, a selective screening of the offsprings of parents with premature ischemic heart disease and hypercholesterolemia is advocated.