Frequency of Risk Factors for Atherosclerosis in Children with Family History of Premature Myocardial Infarction

Background and objectives: Clinical manifestations of coronary artery disease such as myocardial infarction generally have onset from middle age onwards. However, studies indicate that the atherosclerotic process begins to develop during childhood. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the frequency of risk factors for atherosclerosis in children with family history of premature myocardial infarction in Arak city in ۲۰۰۷. Materials and Methods: This was a cross sectional study in which ۲۰۹ children and adolescents aged ۳-۱۸ years with a family history of early onset myocardial infarction were selected base on convenience sampling. Total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), triglycerides, blood pressure, weight and height and fasting blood sugar were investigated. Data were analyzed by SPSS. Results: The prevalence of hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia were ۲۸.۲% and ۲۰.۱% respectively. ۱۹.۱% of these individuals had HDL-C values lower than ۳۵mg/dL. ۱۹/۱% of them had LDL-C levels higher than ۱۲۹ mg/dL. ۴/۳۱% presented hypertension and ۲۸/۷۱% had excessive weight. There was no relationship between hyperlipidemia and fasting blood sugar. However, there was significant association between hyperlipidemia and level of BMI and blood pressure (P<۰.۰۵). Conclusion: More than a quarter of children had at least one risk factor for atherosclerosis. Obesity was identified to be significantly associated with hyperlipidemia. These results emphasis the importance of evaluating children and adolescents with family history of early onset myocardial infarction for atherosclerotic disease.

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Key words: Hyperlipidemia , Hypertension , Children , Adolescent , Early onset myocardial infarction.