Introduction: Pediatric hypercholesterolemia has increased over the past decades. Knowing the environmental and genetic factors that have an impact on it would allow establishing more adequate screening guidelines.
Objetives: To determine if there is an association between genetic and environmental factors and hypercholesterolemia in children. To assess the predictive qualities of outcome measures associated with hypercholesterolemia.
Material and methods: Observational, analytical, cross-sectional study.
Population: students from all schools located in Jovita. Age: >> 6 and < 12 years old. The total cholesterol level was measured. A survey was administered to parents to assess their family medical history (FMH) and socioeconomic level (SEL). Weight and height were recorded to establish nutritional status. A survey was administered to children to identify their level of physical activity and their eating habits. The association was assessed by estimating the OR value (p < 0.05). Diagnostic tests were done to establish outcome measures that predict hypercholesterolemia.
Results: Three hundred and eighty-two students were included. Their mean cholesterol level was 168 mg/dL, and 13.4% had hypercholesterolemia. A sedentary lifestyle was observed in 22.8%, and obesity, in 10.5%. A positive FMH, a high/ middle SEL, and obesity were associated with hypercholesterolemia (OR: 2.10, 2.10 and 2.05, respectively). No association was found between physical activity and fat/cholesterol intake and hypercholesterolemia. A positive FMH and a high/middle SEL were sensitive enough (75% and 88%) to predict hypercholesterolemia. The presence of hypercholesterolemia inboth parents in relation to hypercholesterolemia in their child showed an OR of 9.59, a sensitivity of 73%, a specificity of 71%, a positive predictive value of 57%, and a negative predictive value of 83%.
Conclusions: A positive FMH, a high/ middle SEL, and obesity were associated with hypercholesterolemia in children. The presence of hypercholesterolemia in both parents was associated with hypercholesterolemia in their child and showed itself to be a great potential predictor and screening criterion.
Introducción: La hipercolesterolemia infantil aumentó en las últimas décadas. Conocer los factores ambientales y genéticos que influyen sobre ella permitiría establecer pautas de pesquisa más adecuadas.
Objetivos: Analizar si existe asociación entre factores genéticos y ambientales y la hipercolesterolemia en niños. Evaluar las cualidades predictivas de las variables que muestren asociación con la hipercolesterolemia.
Material y métodos: Estudio observacional, analítico, transversal. Población: alumnos de todas las escuelas de Jovita. Edad: > 6 y < 12 años. Se midió la colesterolemia total. Mediante encuestas a los padres, se evaluó la historia clínica familiar (HCF) y el nivel socioeconómico (NSE). Se registró el peso y la talla para determinar el estado nutricional. Por medio de una encuesta al niño, se identificó el nivel de actividad física y los hábitos dietéticos. Se evaluó la asociación mediante el cálculo de OR (p < 0,05). Se efectuaron pruebas diagnósticas sobre las variables para predecir hipercolesterolemia.
Resultados: Se incluyeron382 alumnos. La media de colesterolemia fue de 168 mg/dl. Un 13,4% presentaron hipercolesterolemia. El sedentarismo fue del 22,8%, y la obesidad, del 10,5%. La HCF positiva, el NSE alto-mediano y la obesidad se asociaron con hipercolesterolemia (OR 2,10; 2,10 y 2,05, respectivamente). No se encontró asociación entre actividad física e ingesta de grasas y colesterol e hipercolesterolemia. La HCF positiva y el NSE alto-mediano mostraron sensibilidad (75% y 88%) para predecir hipercolesterolemia. La hipercolesterolemia de ambos padres en relación con la hipercolesterolemia del hijo mostró un OR 9,59, sensibilidad de 73%, especificidad de 71%, valor predictivo positivo de 57% y negativo de 83%.
Conclusiones: La HCF positiva, el NSE alto-mediano y la obesidad se asociaron con hipercolesterolemia en el niño. La hipercolesterolemia en ambos padres presentó una asociación con la de los niños y mostró un buen potencial como factor predictor y criterio de pesquisa.
Keywords: Children; Hypercholesterolemia; Parents; Risk factors.
Sociedad Argentina de Pediatría.