Comparison of Serum Apolipoprotein Levels of Diabetic Children and Healthy Children with or without Diabetic Parents

Introduction. The association of diabetes and atherosclerosis with disorders of lipids and lipoproteins, notably high apolipoprotein B (apoB) and low apolipoprotein A1(apoA1) is well established. Because of the beginning of the atherosclerosis' process from early life, in this study, the plasma levels of apoA1 and apoB were compared in diabetic children with type I diabetes mellitus(DM), healthy children with diabetic parents (HDPs),and healthy children with nondiabetic parents (HNDPs). Methods. This case-control study was conducted among 90 children aged 9-18 years. Serum levels of apoA and apoB were compared among 30 diabetic children (DM), 30 healthy children with diabetic parents (HDPs), and 30 healthy children with nondiabetic parents (HNDP). Results. The mean serum apoA1 was higher in DM (153 ± 69 mg/dL) followed by HNDPs (138 ± 58 mg/dL) and HDPs (128 ± 56 mg/dl), but the difference was not statistically significant. The mean apoB value in HNDPs was significantly lower than DM and HDPs (90 ± 21 mg/dL versus 127 ± 47 and 128 ± 38 mg/dL, P < 0.05, respectively). The mean apoB levels in DM (127 ± 47 mg/dl) and HDP (128 ± 38 mg/dL) were not statistically significantly different (P > 0.05). Conclusions. Diabetic children and healthy children with diabetic parent(s) are at higher risk of dyslipidemia and atherosclerosis. Thus for primordial and primary prevention of atherosclerosis, we suggest screening these children for low plasma apoA1 and high plasma apoB levels.