Objective. To determine lipoprotein(a) in children and adolescents wit
h IDDM and assess its relation with Lp(a) levels in their first degree
relatives. Research design and methods. in a cross-sectional study we
included 141 IDDM patients, (58 male and 83 female) with mean ages 12
.2 +/- 2.8 and 12.6 +/- 3.1 years, respectively. Patients with microal
buminuria, hepatopathy, thyroid dysfunction, infectious disease, acute
decompensation or surgery three months prior to the study, were exclu
ded. Clinical history, physical examination, blood chemistry, glycosil
ated hemoglobin, microalbuminuria and lipid profile including total ch
olesterol triglycerides, HDL-C, Apo A-I, Apo B and Lp(a) were determin
ed. Parents and non-diabetic siblings were also studied when feasible.
Results. Mean plasma concentration of total cholesterol, HDL-C and Ap
o A-I were significantly higher in diabetic boys compared to their non
-diabetic sibs. Mean Lp(a) plasma values and the prevalence of Lp(a) >
30 mg/dL were similar in the IDDM patients, their healthy sibs and par
ents. Hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia were more frequent
among the IDDM patients. No correlation was found between HbA(1), and
Lp(a) concentrations. However, a correlation was observed between Lp(
a) plasma concentrations of parents and their diabetic and healthy off
spring. Conclusion. Diabetes mellitus does not seem to affect Lp(a) le
vels. These data are consistent with a genetic regulation of Lp(a) pla
sma levels.