PREVALENCE OF LIPID PROFILE DISORDERS IN CHILDREN – A RETROSPECTIVE CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY IN PRIMARY HEALTH CARE
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.46793/PP260131017JKeywords:
lipid profile, dyslipidemia, children, cholesterol, triglycerides, genderAbstract
Introduction: Dyslipidemia is a clinically asymptomatic condition characterized by an altered lipid profile in the blood and an increased risk of premature development of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and atherosclerosis. Timely screening, detection, and treatment of dyslipidemia may slow the progression of atherosclerosis and reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases in adulthood.
Aim: To examine the prevalence of lipid profile disorders in children and to assess potential differences according to sex at the pediatric department of the Primary Health Care Center Doljevac during the year 2025.
Methodology: The study included 56 children aged 5 to 18 years (mean ± SD: 11.5 ± 3.75 years), including 27 boys (48.2%) and 29 girls (51.8%). The sample size was calculated based on an expected prevalence of dyslipidemia of 20% according to the literature, with a significance level of α = 0.05 and a study power of 80%. Participants were analyzed at the Pediatric Department of the Primary Health Care Center Doljevac during 2025. The analyzed lipid profile parameters included total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides. Differences between sexes were assessed using Fisher’s exact test, while the strength of association was expressed as odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals.
Results: During 2025, a total of 1,000 laboratory analyses were performed in children. Total cholesterol was analyzed in 56 cases (5.6%), triglycerides in 55 cases (5.5%), LDL cholesterol in 15 cases (1.5%), and HDL cholesterol in 15 cases (1.5%). Elevated total cholesterol was detected in 12.5% of participants, more frequently in girls than in boys. Elevated HDL cholesterol was observed in a higher proportion of participants in whom this parameter was analyzed, with no significant sex-related differences. Elevated LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels were rare. The observed trends did not reach statistical significance.
Conclusion: Lipid profile disorders in the studied pediatric population were relatively uncommon. Although no statistically significant sex-related differences were identified, a trend toward a higher prevalence of elevated total cholesterol and triglycerides was observed among female participants, highlighting the importance of early screening and preventive monitoring of lipid status in childhood.
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