The lipid disorders centre at the Transvaal Memorial Hospital for Children. A review of the first 30 months.

A specialized clinic for the investigation and treatment of familial lipoprotein disorders was started at the Transvaal Memorial Hospital for Children in July 1972. The reasons for its formation, its siting at a paediatric hospital and patient protocols are detailed. During the first 30 months, 195 patients with familial hyperlipoproteinaemia were seen. The ethnic distribution revealed a disproportionately high prevalence of lipoprotein disorders in the Afrikaner population. The most common lipoprotein disturbance seen was familial hypercholesterolaemia or Fredrickson type II hyperlipoproteinaemia, which was found in 84% of the patients. Included in this group were 18 homozygotes. The majority of patients were between 1 and 20 years, while few were over the age of 50. The incidence of ischaemic heart disease at various ages in the clinic population is reported. Results of therapy, both dietary and drug, for the various types of hyperlipoproteinaemia are presented. The contribution of familial hypercholesterolaemia to the high incidence of ischaemic heart disease and its possible implications in young White South Africans is discussed.