In group of 38 children (4–18 yrs) born in families at risk where grandparents or parents were operated on for peripheral artery or coronary artery occlusions increased plasma homocysteine levels were detected (8.3± 2.7 mmol/l) compared to the healthy child population of the same age (6.3±1.8 mmol/l). In older children (12–18 yrs) the increased levels were more expressed (9.5±2.8 mmol/l) than in younger children (4–12 yrs) (7.0±2.0 mmol/l). The usefulness of introducing total homocysteine estimation as a suitable and effective selective screening test for future patients suffering from coronary or peripheral artery occlusive diseases in risk populations needs further confirmative studies

        Key words: hyperhomocysteinaemia, mild hyperhomocysteinaemia, selective screening, vascular diseases, children at risk.