BACKGROUND: Children from families with a history of cardiovascular system diseases are especially predisposed to early development of atherosclerosis. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the selected lipid parameters and polymorphisms of G279A located in the cholesterol ester transfer protein (CETP) gene.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: This longitudinal study was performed in 3 stages. During stage I the tests were carried out on 137 newborns after birth. Of these, we selected 30 children with a family history of cardiovascular system diseases. During stage II of the study the same children were evaluated at the age of 18–30 months, and during stage III at the age 5–6 years. Gestational age and the birth weight were evaluated in newborns. The older children were examined physically, and nutritional status was assessed. In all of the children examined, we determined the blood concentrations of triglycerides, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, apolipoproteins (AI and B), lipoprotein(a) and polymorphisms, and the G279A locus of the CETP gene.

RESULTS: In children with genotype B1B1 (after birth and aged 5–6 years), a significantly lower cholesterol concentration in the HDL fraction was found compared to those with genotype B1B2 and B2B2. Other biochemical parameters of lipid metabolism were not significantly different between these genetic polymorphisms.

CONCLUSIONS: A lower cholesterol concentration in the HDL fraction in children with a family history of cardiovascular system diseases was determined by polymorphism of the CETP gene. Homozygotes (genotype B1B1) show a tendency towards the phenotype favoring the development of atherosclerosis.

Keywords: Birth Weight, Apolipoproteins - blood, Cardiovascular Diseases - genetics, Child, Child, Preschool, Cholesterol - blood, Cholesterol Ester Transfer Proteins - genetics, Genetic Predisposition to Disease - genetics, Genotype, Gestational Age, Infant, Newborn, Lipid Metabolism - physiology, Longitudinal Studies, Nutritional Status, Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide - genetics, Triglycerides - blood