The child as proband. High prevalence of unrecognized and untreated hyperlipidemia in parents of hyperlipidemic children.

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 triglycerides (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.