Atherogenic risk factors in children of parents with ischemic heart disease

: We have studied serum lipid levels and dietetic intake in 38 children whose parents had ischemic heart disease (HPCI) before 55 years of age and in a control group (n = 114). In the HPCI group, 25% had serum levels of total cholesterol higher than 200 mg/dl; only 2 children presented elevated levels of LDL and apo B. Dietetic intakes in both groups were similar, with a high protein (16-17% of calories) and fat (39-42% of calories) intake and a low carbohydrate intake (40.46% of calories). In both groups the percentage of monounsaturated fat was higher than other types of fat. The most frequent phenotype in the HPCI group was IIa (8 children). Only 1 child showed a IIb phenotype. This finding may be due to the variability of this phenotype in the same individual throughout life. In the families (n = 8), we have detected 2 families with polygenic hypercholesterolemia (HP), 2 others with familial combined hyperlipidemia (HFC) and 4 without family history of hyperlipidemia. Taking into account the lipid profile in children of the HPCI group, we have detected the presence of familial dysliproproteinemias. It appears that dietetic intake is not an atherogenic risk factor in these patients.