Jewish Hospital

Childrens Cholesterol and Triglyceride Levels Can Predict If They and Their Parents Will Develop Heart Disease

--Jewish Hospital

Childrens Cholesterol and Triglyceride Levels Can Predict If They and
Their Parents Will Develop Heart Disease

(Cincinnati; 1/31/2012) A study by Dr. Charles J. Glueck, Medical
Director of the Cholesterol and Metabolism Center at The Jewish Hospital
Mercy Health, and Dr. John Morrison from Cincinnati Childrens Hospital
Medical Center, found that children and their parents may benefit from
childhood lipid screening. A lipid screening measures an individuals
cholesterol and triglyceride levels, both of which are associated with
heart disease.

Typically, physicians perform lipid screening on children whose parents
have premature (before age 55) cardiovascular disease (CVD). While a
universal screening would help identify most children with high cholesterol
and triglyceride counts, Dr. Gluecks study and previously published work
found that targeted screening misses the majority of children with high
lipids who are at risk of developing heart disease as adults.

The study found the following association between childrens triglyceride
levels and their likelihood to develop CVD:

Children who had high triglyceride levels at age 12 were more likely
than children with normal triglyceride levels to have heart attacks and
strokes by the age of 38. Children often inherit these high triglyceride
levels from their parents, who are themselves more at risk of developing
early CVD.

The parents of children with high risk factors were also more likely have
adverse health outcomes:

Parents of children with high blood pressure and low high-density
lipoprotein cholesterol (low good or HDL cholesterol) were more likely
to develop CVD at or before age 50.
Parents of children with high blood pressure and high triglycerides were
more likely to develop CVD at or before age 60.
Parents of children with a high triglyceride count and low levels of HDL
cholesterol were more likely to develop CVD by age 66.
Parents of children with a high body mass index (BMI a measure of
obesity) were more likely to have type 2 diabetes.
Parents of black children with a high body mass index were more likely
to have high blood pressure.

Pediatric risk factors including high triglyceride and low HDL cholesterol
levels are significantly and independently related to the onset of young
adult CVD, pre-diabetes, type 2 diabetes, and high blood pressure. Parents
of children with these risk factors were more likely to develop these
conditions, as well, said Dr. Glueck. When we identify children with
these risk factors early, we can start the children on primary prevention
programs to can help reduce their chances of suffering heart attacks and
strokes and developing type 2 diabetes later in life. We should be able to
help their parents, too.

In November of 2011, an expert panel convened by the National Heart, Lung,
and Blood Institute recommended universal lipid screenings for all children
starting at age nine to 11. The American Academy of Pediatrics also
recommends that all children age nine to 11 be screened for cholesterol.

The Jewish Hospital Mercy Health Cholesterol and Metabolism Center and
Cincinnati Childrens study followed 852 five- to 19-year-old black and
white schoolchildren (mean age 12 years) and 1038 parents (mean age 40
years) from 519 families in Cincinnati, Ohio. The team reassessed the
schoolchildren in a follow-up study at the mean age of 39 years and the
parents by mean age 66, looking at their history of CVD, type 2 diabetes
and high blood pressure. Separately, the research team also studied 909
schoolchildren aged between six to 18 years and did a follow up study 26
years later.

Mercy Health makes quality healthcare easy to help you be well in mind,
body and spirit. Mercy Health is a premier healthcare provider that has
been serving Greater Cincinnati for more than 160 years. Mercy provides an
integrated network of leading physicians, compassionate caregivers,
comprehensive services and exceptional care at more than 80 locations
across the region. The Mercy Health network of care includes six
award-winning hospitals, eight senior living communities, primary and
specialty care physician practices, outpatient centers, social service
agencies, fitness centers and a variety of outreach programs. To learn more
visit, www.e-mercy.com and engage in the conversation via Mercy Healths
social media channels (@mercy_health on Twitter and Mercy Health on
Facebook.)

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