Hypertriglyceridemia in a Pediatric Referral Practice: Experience With 300 Patients

Abstract

Background: Pediatric hypertriglyceridemia is an emerging comorbidity of childhood obesity. Methods: This study reviewed medical records retrospectively to describe the characteristics and clinical course of 300 at-risk children followed in a pediatric preventive cardiology clinic. Results: Average baseline triglyceride (TG) level was 269 mg/dL (SD 342 mg/dL); 91% had TG levels between 150 and 399 mg/dL. A total of 77% were overweight/obese, 23% had elevated blood pressure, 23% had a family history of high triglycerides, and 11% reported a psychiatric diagnosis (33.3% of those with severe TG elevations). Diet and activity change were the first-line therapies; few were taking lipid-lowering medications (baseline, 5.1%; follow-up, 11.4%). TG levels declined by 23% (average, 88 mg/dL; SD 231), often with a decline or plateau in TG risk category. Children with a lower body mass index (<85% gender- and age-matched percentile) were more likely to improve in TG category than heavier children (70% vs 40%; P ≤ .05).