LIPID PROFILE IN NORMAL HEALTHY CHILDREN

ABSTRACT One hundred and fifty healthy children in the age group of 0–12 years were studied to establish normal levels of lipid profile. They were divided into six equal groups viz., newborns, 0–1 year, 1–4 years, 4–7 years, 7–10 years and 10–12 years. The mean values ± SD for total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides were 70 ± 14.48 mg/dl, 35.1 ± 8.04 mg/dl, 23.8 ± 10.62 mg/dl and 50.9 ± 20.77 mg/dl respectively for male neonates and 71.8 ± 13.96 mg/dl, 34.6 ± 6.55 mg/dl, 25.5 ± 9.29 mg/dl and 57.2 ± 18.57 mg/dl respectively for female neonates. These values increased to 158.7 ± 21.23 mg/dl, 60.7 ± 11.70 mg/dl, 80.3 ± 19.26 mg/dl, 86.7 ± 28.80 mg/dl in males and 161.6 ± 23.09 mg/dl 66.7 ± 8.75 mg/dl, 75.8 ± 20.26 mg/dl and 93.2 ± 44.09 mg/dl in females respectively between 10–12 years of age, The various lipid fractions were at the lowest level at birth and increased significantly during first year of life, there after showing a much slower rise in levels. There was no significant difference in values between male and female children.