A Case of Massive Hypertriglyceridemia in 6 Year Old Boy

Type V hypertriglyceridemia in children is a rare condition since it has often been associated with obesity, type II diabetes, metabolic syndrome and hormone therapy. We encountered a case of massive hypertriglyceridemia (1900 mg/dl) in a 6 years old boy with complains of acute pancreatitis but no physical manifestations. There was no family history of sudden cardiac death, father and younger male sibling were found to be normal. The mother however had hypertriglyceridemia. The child was managed by dietary changes, omega 3 capsules and low dose fenofibrate. On follow up showed there was reduction in lipid profile and lipoprotein electrophoretic pattern showed bands for VLDL and chylomicron indicating type V hyperlipidemia. Early diagnosis via screening for lipid profile of such patients and their family can improve prognosis and quality of life of these children.