Blood Lipids in Diabetic and Non‐Diabetic Schoolchildren

Abstract

Summary The fasting blood levels of cholesterol, phospholipids, glycerides and free fatty acids (79 cases only) were determined in a group of 7–20‐ year‐old school children, consisting of 137 diabetics and 121 matched non‐diabetic controls. Age and sex were without significant influence on any of the lipid compounds. Although only‐ a few cases of hyperlipaemia were observed, the mean values for all lipids were relatively higher for the diabetic than for the non‐diabetic group (Fig. 1). The differences were highly significant for phospholipids and free fatty acids, probably significant for cholesterol, but not significant for glycerides. No correlation was found between lipid levels and the age at onset of diabetes, the duration of the disease or the degree of diabetic control. In a few patients with diabetic angiopathy of moderate severity the lipid values did not deviate from those of the uncomplicated cases. When comparing the results with the findings in adult subjects, an increase in blood lipids seems to occur after the end of the adolescent period in both diabetic and non‐diabetic cases. The results are discussed with regard to some known and postulated factors influencing the blood level and metabolism of lipids in the normal and the diabetic population.