: The Mediterranean diet (MD) has been shown to have cardioprotective effects, as demonstrated in adults, but data on hyperlipidemic children are scanty. This study assessed the impact of MD adherence, evaluated with the updated KIDMED score, on the lipid profiles of pediatric patients affected by primary hyperlipidemias. This retrospective study included data on 157 children (mean age: 10.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground And Aims: Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) risk factors include high cholesterol. Children with total cholesterol (TC) levels ≥ 170 mg/dL are usually considered hypercholesterolemic. This study aimed at investigating the awareness of TC levels in a large Italian paediatric population and at looking for a possible correlation between their TC and TC in their parents' blood.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: The diagnosis of familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) in children is primarily based on main criteria including low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels, increased in the proband and relatives, and its inheritance. Two other relevant parameters are symptoms, rarely occurring in children, as rare are the FH homozygous patients, and the mutation detection of related genes. The latter allows the final diagnosis, although it is not commonly available.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Cardiovasc Dev Dis
January 2024
Rationale: The prevention of cardiovascular (CV) disease is mandatory from childhood onwards. Among biochemical markers related to the clinical cardiovascular outcome, LDL cholesterol (LDL-C), non-HDL-C and apolipoprotein B (ApoB) are recognized as main target parameters. Emphasis on ApoB concentrations is growing, as representative of any class of atherogenic lipoprotein.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDetection and treatment of patients with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) starting from childhood is fundamental to reduce morbidity and mortality. The activity of National realities such as the LIPIGEN (LIpid transPort disorders Italian GEnetic Network) Paediatric Group, founded in 2018, is a milestone in this context. The aim of this exploratory survey, conducted in October 2021 among Italian lipid clinics included in the LIPIGEN Paediatric Group, was to investigate the current clinical approach in the management and treatment of paediatric patients with suspected FH.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMassive changes have occurred in our diet. A growing consumption of vegetal oils rich in omega-6 (ω-6) and a depletion of omega-3 (ω-3) fatty acids (FAs) in our food has led to an imbalance between ω-3 and ω-6. In particular, eicosapentaenoic (EPA)/arachidonic acid (AA) ratio seems to be an indicator of this derangement, whose reduction is associated to the development of metabolic diseases, such as diabetes mellitus.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Diet is considered the cornerstone of lipid management in hyperlipidemic children but evidence to demonstrate the effects of nutrient benefits on the lipid profile is limited.
Aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of the Mediterranean diet on low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C) and non-high density lipoprotein (HDL-C) decrease in primary hyperlipidemia affected children and in the achievement of therapeutical target levels.
Methods: A retrospective cohort study was used, recruiting = 223 children (10.
Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is the most common genetic disease caused by variants in LDLR, APOB, PCSK9 genes; it is characterized by high levels of LDL-cholesterol and premature cardiovascular disease. We aim to perform a retrospective analysis of a genetically screened population (528 unrelated patients-342 adults and 186 children) to evaluate the biochemical and clinical correlations with the different genetic statuses. Genetic screening was performed by traditional sequencing and some patients were re-analyzed by next-generation-sequencing.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThere is limited information on the prevalence of dyslipidemia in the Italian pediatric population. Aim of the study was to evaluate total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and associated factors in a large sample of Italian children, applying a micro-sampling procedure in the family pediatrician's office. In a population of 1910 children (50.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFChildren affected by primary hyperlipidemia have a high risk of developing cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) during adulthood. Several studies have reported a positive association between the intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and improvements in lipid markers and CVD risk. Dietary supplements may represent a potential strategy in the management of hyperlipidemia.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a genetic disorder caused by mutations in genes involved in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) uptake (LDLR, APOB and PCSK9). Genetic diagnosis is particularly useful in asymptomatic children allowing for the detection of definite FH patients. Furthermore, defining their genetic status may be of considerable importance as the compound heterozygous status is much more severe than the heterozygous one.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFChildren with primary hyperlipidemia are prone to develop premature atherosclerosis, possibly associated with increased oxidative stress. Nutritional therapy is the primary strategy in the treatment of hyperlipidemia and associated conditions. Dietary interventions with bioactive-rich foods, such as nuts, may contribute to the modulation of both lipid profile and the oxidative/antioxidant status.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFHyperlipidemia starts at a pediatric age and represents an unquestionable risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Modulation of the intestinal microbial ecosystem (IME), in principle, can ameliorate lipid profiles. In this study, we characterized the IME of children and adolescents with primary hyperlipidemia by analyzing fecal samples through 16S rRNA gene profiling (n = 15) and short chain fatty acid (SCFA) quantification (n = 32).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCurr Pediatr Rev
April 2018
LAL-deficiency (LAL-D) is a rare and systemic condition, secondary to LIPA gene mutations, responsible for lysosomal accumulation of cholesteryl esters and triglycerides, whose manifestations are very heterogeneous in terms of the age of onset, severity and the type of clinical and radiological manifestations. Dyslipidemia, hepatomegaly and hepatosteatosis with increased levels of transaminases are the most common features. The increased risk of premature atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disorders, secondary to a generalized alteration of lipid profile and lipoprotein dysfunction associated with LAL-D, has been increasingly pointed out.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFamilial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is an autosomal dominant disease caused by pathogenic variants in genes encoding for LDL receptor (LDLR), Apolipoprotein B and Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9). Among PCSK9 variants, only Gain-of- Function (GOF) variants lead to FH. Greater attention should be paid to the classification of variants as pathogenic.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground & Aim: Regular intake of nuts improves lipid profile and thus reduces the cardiovascular (CV) risk associated with hyperlipidemia. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of a dietary intervention with hazelnuts (HZNs, 15-30 g/day, depending on patient weight) on serum lipid profile, anthropometric parameters and fatty acids (FAs) composition of erythrocyte phospholipids in children and adolescents with primary hyperlipidemia.
Methods: Eight-week randomized, single blind, controlled, three-arm, parallel-group study.
This study aimed at characterizing the fatty acid (FA) composition of red blood cell (RBC) phospholipids in children and adolescents with primary hyperlipidemia, and to ascertain potential association with serum lipid profile and dietary factors. At this purpose, 54 probands aged 6-17 years were recruited. Subjects showed a low omega-3 index (eicosapentaenoic acid, EPA + docosahexaenoic acid, DHA <4%).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPurpose: The purpose of this study was to enhance understanding of lysosomal acid lipase deficiency (LALD) in infancy.
Methods: Investigators reviewed medical records of infants with LALD and summarized data for the overall population and for patients with and without early growth failure (GF). Kaplan-Meier survival analyses were conducted for the overall population and for treated and untreated patients.
Objective: Serum lipoproteins influence cell cholesterol content by delivering and removing cholesterol to/from cells, functions mainly exerted by LDL and HDL, respectively. Especially in the case of HDL, structure and composition are crucial for function, beyond serum levels. Cholesteryl ester storage disease (CESD) is caused by LIPA gene mutations and reduced activity of lysosomal acid lipase (LAL), the enzyme responsible for hydrolysis of cholesteryl esters and TG.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: The aim of this study was to characterize key clinical manifestations of lysosomal acid lipase deficiency (LAL D) in children and adults.
Methods: Investigators reviewed medical records of LAL D patients ages ≥5 years, extracted historical data, and obtained prospective laboratory and imaging data on living patients to develop a longitudinal dataset.
Results: A total of 49 patients were enrolled; 48 had confirmed LAL D.
Childhood obesity when associated with serum lipoprotein changes triggers atherosclerosis. Evidences suggest that the atherosclerotic process begins in childhood and that the extent of early atherosclerosis of the aorta and coronary arteries can be associated with lipoprotein levels and obesity. Furthermore, many studies in childhood demonstrate an important relationship between parameters of insulin sensitivity, body fat distribution, and the development of lipid abnormalities.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: Preclinical investigations support the use of probiotics in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia, but clinical evidence is often contrasting. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a probiotic formulation containing three Bifidobacterium strains on lipid profiles in children affected by primary dyslipidemia.
Methods: Thirty-eight children with dyslipidemia, ages 10.
Lysosomal acid lipase deficiency (LAL-D) is a rare autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disease caused by deleterious mutations in the LIPA gene. The age at onset and rate of progression vary greatly and this may relate to the nature of the underlying mutations. Patients presenting in infancy have the most rapidly progressive disease, developing signs and symptoms in the first weeks of life and rarely surviving beyond 6 months of age.
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