HDL-Cholesterol in Children and Adolescents with Congenital Heart Disease

ABSTRACT

Abstract Background Children and adolescents with congenital heart disease may be more likely to develop atherogenic cardiovascular diseases in adulthood. Therefore, the early identification of risk factors and intervention in childhood may be crucial for a good quality of life and longevity. Objectives To describe the distribution of high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-c) levels and its association with socioeconomic, clinical and cardiovascular risk factors in children and adolescents with congenital heart disease. Methods Cross-sectional study with children and adolescents aged between 5 and 18 years, with congenital heart disease. Socioeconomic, clinical and cardiovascular risk factors were evaluated. HDL-c concentrations were evaluated by the direct method and categorized as desirable (>45 mg/dL), borderline (40-45 mg/dL) and low (<40 mg/dL). We also assessed the "undesirable" levels, consisting of the sum of "borderline" and "low" values for comparative purposes. The multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the factor associated with undesirable HDL-c levels. A p<0.05 value was adopted as statistically significant. Results Mean HDL-c was 51.2 mg/dL (SD 12.6), with a prevalence of 33.2% of undesirable HDL-c. In the multivariate analysis, C-reactive protein levels ≥ 3mg/dL (OR 3.26; 95% CI 1.32-8.04), age ≥ 10 years old (OR 2.11; 95% CI 1.12-3.99) and undesirable levels of triglycerides (OR 2.21; 95% CI 1.13-4.75) were associated with undesirable HDL-c. Conclusion In this sample of children and adolescents with congenital heart disease, almost one third presented low or borderline HDL-c levels. Age ≥10 years, C-reactive protein and triglycerides were associated with undesirable HDL-c levels. These factors should be considered in the prevention of cerebrovascular diseases in adulthood in this population.