Serum lipid and lipoprotein cholesterol grids for cardiovascular risk screening of children.

We determined serum lipid and lipoprotein percentiles from a total community study of 5,250 fasting children (35% black, 65% white), aged 2 to 19 years. A serum turbidity index was used as a rapid, inexpensive screening test for hyper-beta-lipoproteinemia and hyper-pre-beta-lipoproteinemia. Percentile grids for the turbidity index and serum total cholesterol and beta-lipoprotein cholesterol levels may be used for either black or white children. Triglyceride and pre-beta-lipoprotein cholesterol level percentile grids were reported by race because of lower levels in black children, while grids for alpha-lipoprotein cholesterol levels were reported separately by sex for black and white subjects. A five-step method was outlined for screening children for lipid and lipoprotein abnormalities. Those with hyper-beta-lipoproteinemia and hyperpre-beta-lipoproteinemia would be candidates for therapy and indicate screening of other family members, after secondary causes are excluded.