[Serum lipid levels in children and teenagers from Concepción, Chile].

Background: There is a relationship between serum lipid levels in children with those of adults. Preventive measures to reduce serum lipid levels should start in childhood.

Aim: To study serum lipid levels in a representative sample of children and teenagers from Concepción, Chile.

Subjects And Methods: Serum total, HDL cholesterol and triglycerides were measured in 1,286 males and 816 females from 5 to 18 years old in the city of Concepción.

Results: Mean total cholesterol levels were 159 +/- 30 and 162 +/- 31 mg/dl in males and females respectively. The figures for HDL cholesterol were 46 +/- 11 and 47 +/- 11 mg/dl, for LDL cholesterol were 94 +/- 27 and 96 +/- 29 mg/dl and for triglycerides were 80 +/- 35 and 87 +/- 38 mg/dl. Nine percent of males and 12% of females had a total cholesterol over 200 mg/dl. Likewise 10% of males and 11% of females had a LDL cholesterol over 130 mg/dl.

Conclusions: These numbers will help to plan and perform interventions in children, in order to prevent cardiovascular diseases.