[Risk factors for atherosclerosis in children: an epidemiologic study]. / Factores de risco de aterosclerose na infância. Um estudo epidemiológico.

PURPOSE: To obtain a profile of risk factors for coronary atherosclerosis in a pediatric population from Bento Gonçalves, Rio Grande do Sul, from May 1990 to June 1991. METHODS: One thousand five hundred and one children with ages from 6 to 15 years were studied to assess serum cholesterol levels and their association with other risk factors, such as arterial hypertension, obesity and family history of cardiovascular disease. RESULTS: Four hundred and twenty (27.98%) children showed cholesterol levels over 180 mg%; 75 (5%) had systolic hypertension and 48 (3.20%) diastolic hypertension. The family history was important to search for risk factors such as hypercholesterolemia, but did not exclude risk factors when negative. One hundred and thirty six (9.06%) children showed hipetriglyceridemia; 155 (10.33%) presented LDL-cholesterol above 130 mg% and showed a strong association with hypercholesterolemia. Obesity was present in 111 children, but none showed a major prevalence of hypercholesterolemia. CONCLUSION: Risk factors for atherosclerosis are present in children and their search should be performed, independent of family income, family history, age and sex. The pediatrician must have a significant role in this setting.