| Abstract: | The level of lipoprotein Lp(a), one of the risk factors of atherosclerosis, was determined in 91 children and adolescents of age ranging from 3.3 to 22 years suffering from insulin-dependent diabetes. The changes in Lp(a) were analyzed in relation to the group of patients, the duration of diabetes, possible genetic factors, other factors predisposing to early onset of atherosclerosis, and occurrence of obesity in the analyzed group. The relation between the level of Lp(a) and other parameters of lipid metabolism (total cholesterol, triglycerides, phospholipids, HDL-cholesterol and apolipoprotein B) as well as a degree of metabolic normalization of diabetes (as assessed by the determination of glycosylated hemoglobin and fructosamine) was studied in addition. No relation between Lp(a) and the factors mentioned above, with exception of glycosylated hemoglobin and fructosamine concentrations, could be demonstrated. The elevated level of Lp(a) in children and adolescents during the period of poor metabolic control of diabetes may constitute an additional risk factor for early onset of atherogenic changes. |
