Comparison of lipid profiles in children with cyanotic and acyanotic heart disease

Background: Atherosclerosis risk in congenital heart disease (CHD) necessitates understanding lipid profiles, yet current research is inconsistent. This study compares lipid profiles in pediatric cyanotic versus acyanotic CHD, examining BMI, age, and sex influence. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 100 children aged 1 month to 15 years who were diagnosed with CHD were enrolled from tertiary care paediatric cardiology centres. The participants were categorized into cyanotic (n = 50) and acyanotic (n = 50) groups on the basis of echocardiographic and clinical findings. Fasting (4_6 hours) venous blood samples were obtained, and serum lipid levels—including total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-C, and LDL-C—were measured via standardized enzymatic colorimetric assays. Statistical analysis was performed via SPSS v25 with appropriate parametric or nonparametric tests. Results: The study revealed significantly higher triglyceride levels in the cyanotic CHD group than in the acyanotic CHD group, whereas LDL-C levels were significantly elevated in the acyanotic CHD group. Subgroup analyses demonstrated that age, sex, and body mass index significantly influenced these lipid parameters, indicating distinct metabolic profiles between the two CHD subtypes. Conclusion: The observed differences in lipid profiles between cyanotic CHD and acyanotic CHD suggest underlying pathophysiological variations that may predispose these children to early cardiovascular complications. These findings underscore the importance of early lipid screening and the development of customized preventive interventions in pediatric CHD patients.