Lowered levels of serum albumin and HDL-cholesterol in children with a recent mild infection

BACKGROUND. Infections are associated with atherogenic changes in serum. AIM. To elucidate effects of recent infections on risk factors for coronary heart disease in children. SUBJECTS AND METHODS. In 1983 and again 3 years later, 2458 individuals aged 9, 12, 15, 18 and 21 years were investigated. In 1986, 106 subjects had symptoms of infection during the past 2 weeks before their follow-up visit. Their serum albumin and lipid concentrations were compared to those in 1983 when these individuals probably were healthy. An age- and sex-matched healthy control group from the cohort 1986 was chosen for comparison. For cholesterol age, sex and body mass index specific Z-scores in addition to actual values were used in statistical comparisons. RESULTS. Serum albumin was 42 g/L in subjects with positive history of infection and 46 g/L in healthy controls (P < 0.0001). HDL-cholesterol and the ratio of HDL- to total cholesterol were lower with increasing evidence of infection. Elevated serum C-reactive protein (CRP) or orosomucoid grouped the subjects with high and low serum HDL-cholesterol concentrations better than history of infection alone. CONCLUSION. A mild infection lowers serum HDL-cholesterol and serum albumin concentrations, which both favour atherogenesis.