Cholesterol levels in Italian school children: Results of an opportunisticsurvey

Background and Aims: A high prevalence of elevated serum total cholesterol (TC) levels has been described among Italian children. Universal screenings for TC have been suggested, though present recommendations are in favour o f more selective and opportunistic surveys. Aim of the study was to assess TC distribution among 13-year-old schoolchildren in Central Italy Further a im was to evaluate the indications for universal, selective or opportunisti c screenings for TC. Methods and Results: Children were examined opportunistically within a perm anent screening programme for Mediterranean anemia carried out in the Lazio Region. TC was measured by dry chemistry in 3734 boys and 3644 girls aged 13 years from 77 schools in 37 municipalities. Results were grouped for 8 g eographically and demographically similar areas. Mean TC was 137.6 mg/dl in boys and 144.3 mg/dl in girls. Desirable levels (< 170 mg/dl) were observe d in about 90% of the children and fewer than 2% displayed levels indicativ e of genetic hypercholesterolemia (> 200 mg/dl). However, in two areas main ly populated by descendants from Northern Italy mean TC was remarkably high (158.7 and 152.2 mg/dl in boys and 164.5 and 160.0 in girls) and the perce ntage with desirable levels dropped to 68.6% and 74.7%. Conclusions: Our results show average good TC levels among Italian schoolch ildren in Central Italy. This is probably due to their traditional Mediterr anean diet. It can thus be suggested that only selective and/or opportunist ic screenings for TC are indicated. However, in some areas where fewer chil dren have desirable levels and almost 30% require dietary education, large- scale screenings are highly recommended. (C) 2000, Medikal Press.