Lipid and lipoprotein profiles in children with familial hypercholesterolaemia: effects of therapy

In 71 children with familial hypercholesterolaemia the effect of dietary and/or medical treatment was evaluated. Initial total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol levels were significantly lower in children who were consecutively treated by diet (Step-One-Diet) than in those who received additional medication. By dietary treatment, the median total cholesterol level (236.5 mg/dl; range 210–510 mg/dl) was reduced by 7.4% and the median LDL-cholesterol level (162 mg/dl; range 126–423 mg/dl) by 9.9%. By dietary and medical therapy, the median total cholesterol level (330 mg/dl; range 270–424 mg/dl) was reduced by 29.7% and the median LDL-cholesterol level (263 mg/dl; 192–333 mg/dl) by 25.9%. High density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol and HDL 3 remained unchanged. HDL 2 showed a significant decrease of 15.6% up to 27 mg/dl (13–42 mg/dl) on medical treatment. Apolipoprotein A I levels did not change during therapy. Initial apolipoprotein B levels were significantly higher in children who were treated by diet and medication and were reduced by 28.9% by combined therapy. In 28 patients (39.4%) an excess of lipoprotein (a) was detected. Regarding the apolipoprotein E phenotype, 32.2% of the patients carried the risk gene ɛ4 in a hetero- or homozygous form. Conclusion Early dietary and/or medical treatment in hypercholesterolaemic children significantly ameliorates the lipoprotein status. The pretherapy lipoprotein status seems to prognosticate the effectiveness of therapy. Received: 16 April 1997 / Accepted in revised form: 27 May 1998