Hypercholesterolaemia in childhood: repercussions in adulthood.

The development of atherosclerotic vascular disease is influenced by multiple factors present since early age. Abnormal lipid metabolism, a major cause of atherosclerosis, results from genetic predisposition and is influenced by a variety of exogenous conditions. This article reviews the published studies of serum cholesterol tracking. The Sherbrooke cohort study on serum cholesterol tracking from early infancy to adolescence is described. The role of dietary habits, nutrient intake and other lifestyle-associated factors are scrutinized. Finally, a family-oriented detection of coronary risk factors in adolescence is discussed with emphasis on the future implementation of new genetic techniques.