Abstract
Lipoprotein a (Lp(a)) is considered as a risk-indicator for cardiovascular disease (CKD), independent of known factors such as hypercholesterolemia, obesity, diabetes mellitus and hypertension. The aim of this study was to determine whether Lp(a) plasma concentrations in children with parents with CKD below 45 years of age is a useful risk indicator for this disease, and to establish the relationship with ethnic factors. 18 Caucasian children aged 4-15 years with parental CHD (Group A) were studied and compared with 71 Caucasians without parental CHD (group 3) and 44 Pehuenche children living in Alto Bio Bio (group C). Lp(a) was measured in serum by enzyme immunoassay using monoclonal antiapo(a) as antibody and polyclonal anti apoB peroxidase to avoid cross reaction with plasminogen. Lp(a) values higher than 30 mg/dl were considered risk indicators for CHD.
In 15 children (83%) of group A, 59 (83%) of group B, and 42 (95%) of group C Lp(a) values were ≤ 30 mg/dl. None in group A, 3 (4.2%) in group B and 2 (4.5%) in group C had Lp(a) levels between 31-50 mg/dl. Three (16.6%) in group A, 9 (12.6%) in group B, and none in group C had Lp(a) levels > 50mg/dl. In group A the relative risk was 1.3 times higher compared with group B and 16.6 times higher compared with group C. When considering Lp(a) values of 31-50 mg/dl there are no relative risk differences between group A and B (RR:0.98) but there is relative risk difference in comparison with oroup C (RR:3.68).
CONCLUSIONS: Lp(a) levels > 50 mg/dl pose a greater risk for CHD in Caucasian children with parental CHD compared with the general Caucasian population, and a much greater risk than in the Pehuenche population. Lp(a) levels between 31 and 50mg/dl pose a greater risk in Caucasians only when compared to the Pehuenche population. These results support the hypothesis that Lp(a) may be influenced by ethnic factors.
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Asenjo, S., Casanueva, V., Calvo, C. et al. RELATION OF LIPOPSOTEIN (a) TO PARENTAL CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE. Pediatr Res 38, 625 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199510000-00048
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199510000-00048