To investigate the tracking of serum total cholesterol (TC) during childhood.
All children born during 1981-1982 in a rural community of eastern Finland were followed at 6 mo, 7 y and 15 y of age. The full follow-up period was completed by 138 out of 205 children, of whom 82 (33 girls) had TC measured at 7 y and 15 y of age (-7 y, -15 y). The main outcome measurement was TC (mmol/L).
TC-7 y was significantly associated with TC-15 y (r = 0.655; p-value or = 5.0 mmol/L in at least one parent) (beta = 0.58; p-value = 0.030). Birthweight had no significant association with TC during childhood.
The study confirmed the tracking of TC during childhood. The identification of children at risk of developing high TC during adolescence should take into consideration the child's previous TC values during childhood and parental TC status.