Increased Non-High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol in Children and Young Adults with Turner Syndrome Is Not Explained By BMI Alone

Abstract

Background: Turner syndrome (TS) is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) is a convenient measure of atherogenicity (normal concentration <120 mg/dL) but has not been investigated in TS. We aim to evaluate non-HDL-C patterns in a cohort of pediatric and young adult females with TS. Methods: A retrospective chart review was used to obtain demographics, body composition, genetic reports, and lipid profiles in females with TS. Results: Lipid profiles were assessed in 158 females (mean age 13.6 years). Mean non-HDL-C was 118.9 mg/dL (±32.0); the prevalence of high non-HDL-C (≥144 mg/dL) was 17.7% (n = 28). In TS females aged 8–17 years (n = 46), the prevalence of high non-HDL-C was 23.9% (95% CI 11.1–36.7; n = 11) between 2011 and 2012, compared to 9.2% (95% CI 5.6–14.1) in females of the same age in the general population reported in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) dataset (p < 0.005). Body mass index (BMI) accounted for only 6% of variance in non-HDL-C values (β coefficient = 1.31, p < 0.05). Conclusions: Children and adolescents aged 8–17 years with TS appear to have a greater prevalence of adverse non-HDL-C levels compared to the general adolescent population. The prevalence of high non-HDL-C was not fully explained by BMI.