Establishing non-fasting reference values for plasma lipids levels based on age, sex, and puberty stage in a French-Canadian pediatric population

Abstract Background Dyslipidemias, including familial hypercholesterolemia (FH), are a significant risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. FH is a genetic disorder resulting in elevated levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and an increased probability of early cardiovascular disorders. Heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH) is the most common form, affecting approximately 1 in 250 individuals worldwide, with a higher prevalence among the French-Canadian population. Childhood is a critical period for screening risk factors, but the recommendation for non-fasting screening remains controversial due to a lack of specific reference values for this state. This study aims to establish reference values for lipid levels in non-fasting children from Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada, that will be specific for sex, age, and pubertal stages. Methods Blood samples and corresponding anthropometric data were collected from 356 healthy children aged from 6 to 13. They were categorized either into two age groups: Cohort 6–8 and Cohort 9–13, or into pubertal stages. Reference values, specifically the 2.5th, 5th, 10th, 50th, 90th, 95th, and 97.5th percentiles were determined using the CLSI C28-A3 guidelines. Results Lipid profiles did not significantly differ between sexes, except for higher levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL-C) in boys within Cohort 6–8. HDL-C levels significantly increased, while LDL-C and non-HDL-C levels significantly decreased in both sexes with age. Non-fasting age- and pubertal stages-specific reference values were established. Conclusion This study established reference intervals for lipid markers in non-fasting state within the pediatric French-Canadian population. These findings could be used in dyslipidemia screening in daily practice.