Reference Ranges for the Non-High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Levels in Japanese Children and Adolescents

• Published in: Journal of Atherosclerosis and Thrombosis 2015/07/23, Vol.22(7), pp.669-675
• Main Authors: Abe, Yuriko, Okada, Tomoo, Sugiura, Reiko, Yamauchi, Kuniaki, Murata, Mitsunori
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Age Factors; Asian Continental Ancestry Group; Child; children; Cholesterol - blood; Cholesterol, HDL - blood; Female; Humans; Japanese; Lipoproteins - blood; Male; non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol; Reference Values; Sex Factors; Triglycerides - blood
• ISSN: 1340-3478; 1880-3873
• DOI: 10.5551/jat.28100

Aim: The aim of this study was to identify the age and sex-specific reference ranges for the non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDLC) levels in Japanese children. Methods: The subjects included 441,431 schoolchildren (207,015 boys, 234,416 girls) 9-16 years of age who participated in a screening and care program for lifestyle-related diseases from 2006 to 2011. The serum total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and triglyceride (TG) levels were measured, and the non-HDL-C levels were calculated. The serum lipid levels were analyzed according to age and sex. Results: The overall mean non-HDL-C level was 105.7±24.0 mg/dL, with a sex difference: boys= 103.0±24.0 mg/dL and girls=108.2±23.8 mg/dL. In boys, the median non-HDL-C level decreased gradually from 104 mg/dL in the 9-year-old age group to 96 mg/dL in the 15-year-old age group. The 75th percentile level was approximately 120 mg/dL in the 9- to 11-year-old groups and decreased at approximately 113 mg/dL in the 12- to 15-year-old groups, whereas the 95th percentile level was approximately 150 mg/dL in the 9- to 11-year-old groups and decreased at approximately 140 mg/dL in the 13- to 15-year-old groups. In girls, the median non-HDL-C level remained unchanged at approximately 105 mg/dL, with 75th and 95th percentile levels of approximately 122 and 150 mg/dL, respectively. Conclusions: The non-HDL-C levels vary by age and sex. The age- and sex-specific reference ranges for the non-HDL-C levels may be a valuable tool for management with respect to preventing the development of atherosclerosis in childhood.