Effect of prednisone on serum lipids in children with rheumatic fever

Sixteen children with rheumatic fever were randomly divided into two groups of eight children each. Group A received prednisone, 3 mg/kg per day for 10 days and group B received sodium salicylate, 100 mg/kg per day, for 10 days. A small though significant increase in serum triglyceride, total cholesterol and phospholipid levels was observed in the children receiving prednisone but not in the group receiving salicylate. There was a significant increase in the relative concentrations of palmitic and palmitoleic acids and a significant decrease in oleic and linoleic acids in the serum triglycerides in children of group A, but not in those of group B. (14 references.)