1. Authors have
mentioned in the results that data of 11 children between 14-15 years
of age showed that there was no significant difference (P > 0.05)
in the serum HDL-C levels as compared to control group of children.
However according to Table II, in all subgroups of children with
diseased parents, the values are statistically highly significant ( P
< 0.001) except in subgroup 10-15 years with parental history of
DM, where it is significant ( P < 0.05). To which group these 11
children belong, has not been mentioned as it will affect the
statistical significance of whole of the group/subgroup and why these
children were singled out.
2. In discussion,
authors have quoted that serum cholesterol/HDL-C ratio in the present
study in high risk children is high. The ratio mentioned is from
2.53-2.8. However, as shown in Table I mean ratio in high risk
children is from 2.59 to 2.66 as compared to controls where it is 2.8.
3. As study involved
the screening of large number of individuals, drop outs are likely
which have not been mentioned. Study seems to be selective as there
were higher serum levels of cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL-C in
all high risk children and statistical significance was found in
cholesterol and LDL-C levels. The degree of inheritance in the study
is approaching 100%. Though all these adult diseases have
multifactorial inheritance i.e. these are the result of additive and
interactive effects of one or more genes plus environmental
factors(2,3).
4. According to expert
panel on blood cholesterol levels in children and adolescents,
children with a parental history of total cholesterol levels > 240
mg/dL should have their cholesterol levels measured(4). In the study
conducted by authors, none of parental group had total cholesterol
level > 240 mg/dL.
5. In subject and
methods, it has been mentioned that either father or mother suffering
from disease entities for more than 5 years were selected. According
to Table I, the values of lipid profile in both parents are highly
significant as compared to controls except of serum triglycerides in
group with history of DM wherein father’s value is not significant
as compared to controls. The lipid profile is contradicatory to the
selection.
