What are the secondary causes of hypertriglyceridemia in a child?

From the Guidelines

Secondary Causes of Hypertriglyceridemia in Children

The secondary causes of hypertriglyceridemia in children include diet and lifestyle factors, certain medications, underlying metabolic disorders, and genetic predispositions.

• These factors can contribute to elevated triglyceride levels, increasing the risk of complications such as pancreatitis and cardiovascular disease 1.
• Poor glycemic control in children with diabetes mellitus can significantly influence plasma lipid levels and exacerbate hypertriglyceridemia 1.
• Multifactorial chylomicronemia syndrome is a common condition that can cause severe elevations in triglyceride levels, leading to clinical features such as lipemia retinalis, eruptive xanthomas, abdominal pain, and hyperlipidemic pancreatitis 1.
• Genetic abnormalities of triglyceride metabolism, such as LPL, APOC2, APOA5, and GPIHBP1, can also contribute to hypertriglyceridemia in children, although these are relatively rare and often diagnosed soon after birth 1.
• Environmental triggers like poor diet, lack of exercise, obesity, and metabolic syndrome can also lead to milder triglyceride level elevations in children 1.
• It is essential for clinicians to investigate and treat these secondary causes of hypertriglyceridemia to prevent complications and improve outcomes in children with elevated triglyceride levels 1.

From the Research

Secondary Causes of Hypertriglyceridemia in Children

The secondary causes of hypertriglyceridemia in children can be attributed to various factors, including:

• Diet with high fat and high glycemic index 2
• Obesity 3, 2, 4, 5
• Diabetes mellitus 2, 4, 6
• Alcohol consumption 2, 6
• Renal disease, such as nephrotic syndrome 2, 4
• Hepatic disorders 2, 4, 5
• Medications, including:
  • Oestrogen 2
  • Isotretinoin 2
  • Immunosuppressant therapy 2
  • L-asparaginase 2
  • Thiazides 2
  • Beta blockers 2
  • Atypical antipsychotics 2
  • Glucocorticoids 2
• Endocrinological diseases, such as:
  • Cushing's syndrome 2
  • Acromegaly 2
  • Hypothyroidism 2, 6
• Pregnancy 2
• Lipodystrophies 2, 4
• Autoimmune diseases 2, 4