Serum lipids and lipoprotein(a) levels in children with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome

Abstract

The present study was carried out prospectively to evaluate serum lipids and lipoprotein(a) levels in children with nephrotic syndrome during the active phase of disease and during a remission. Serum lipids and lipoprotein(a) levels were measured in 40 children, aged 2-10 years, during the active phase of nephrotic syndrome; 25 with a first attack, 9 infrequent relapsers and 6 frequent relapsers, and during remission and in 20 healthy age-matched controls. The mean serum lipids and lipoprotein(a) levels were significantly raised during the active phase of nephrotic syndrome (p< 0.001). The values were relatively higher in relapsers. The lipids and lipoprotein(a) levels decreased during a remission but were significantly higher (p< 0.05) than controls. Serum lipids had a negative correlation with serum albumin and lipoprotein(a) had a positive correlation with proteinuria (r=0.5246, p< 0.01) but no correlation with serum albumin. The elevated lipids and lipoprotein(a) in both the active phase of nephrotic syndrome and during remission suggest a possible predisposition to atherosclerosis in future. © 2012 - IOS Press and the authors.