Study of lipid profile in children of patients with premature coronary artery disease.

The present study was conducted to assess the incidence and type of lipid disorders in children whose parents had premature coronary artery disease. Lipid profile of 250 children (Group A), or children whose parents had premature coronary artery disease (age < or 55 years) was compared with age-matched healthy controls ((Group B), whose parents had no evidence of coronary artery disease. Mean total cholesterol levels (TC), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) and triglycerides (TG) were significantly higher in Group A as compared to Group B. The absolute values of lipids, TC and LDL in Group A children were within the normal range for age. Abnormal high density lipoprotein (HDL) level and elevated triglyceride levels were present in 25% and 22.5%, respectively, in the children of this group.