In the lipid profile described for the child, which combination best characterizes the dyslipidemia?

• A. High triglycerides and low HDL
• B. High HDL and high triglycerides
• C. Normal triglycerides and low HDL
• D. Low total cholesterol

Answer: (A)

This question tests recognizing an atherogenic pattern in a child’s lipid profile: elevated triglycerides together with low HDL. Triglycerides reflect excess circulating lipoproteins that can promote plaque formation, while HDL helps remove cholesterol from arteries, so having less HDL means less protective cleanup. When triglycerides are high and HDL is low, the overall lipid environment is more pro-atherogenic, which is a common and clinically important dyslipidemia pattern in pediatric patients, often seen with obesity or insulin resistance.

If HDL were high, that would be protective rather than a dyslipidemia pattern. Normal triglycerides with low HDL describe low HDL without TG elevation, which is a different and less typical presentation. Low total cholesterol could occur with very low LDL and HDL, but it doesn’t describe a dyslipidemia pattern associated with increased cardiovascular risk. High triglycerides with high HDL is unusual because these lipid abnormalities tend to be inversely related in metabolic disturbances.