Fredrickson

Robert E. Fredrickson

Birth date	1932-08-11
Birth place	Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
Died	June 16, 2002(2002-06-16) (aged 69)
Place of death	Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Nationality	American
Known for	Fredrickson classification of hyperlipidemia

Robert E. Fredrickson (August 11, 1932 – June 16, 2002) was an American biochemist and geneticist renowned for his work in the classification of hyperlipidemia. His contributions to the field of lipid metabolism have had a lasting impact on the diagnosis and treatment of lipid disorders.

Early Life and Education

Robert E. Fredrickson was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He attended the University of Minnesota, where he earned his bachelor's degree in biochemistry. He continued his studies at the same institution, obtaining a Ph.D. in genetics.

Career

Fredrickson began his career at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), where he worked in the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. His research focused on lipid metabolism and the genetic factors influencing lipid disorders.

Fredrickson Classification

Fredrickson is best known for developing the Fredrickson classification of hyperlipidemia, a system that categorizes lipid disorders based on the pattern of lipoproteins in the blood. This classification system, also known as the World Health Organization (WHO) classification, is used worldwide to diagnose and manage hyperlipidemia.

The Fredrickson classification includes five types of hyperlipidemia:

• Type I: Familial hyperchylomicronemia
• Type II: Familial hypercholesterolemia

 * Type IIa: Elevated LDL
 * Type IIb: Elevated LDL and VLDL

• Type III: Familial dysbetalipoproteinemia
• Type IV: Familial hypertriglyceridemia
• Type V: Mixed hyperlipidemia

Each type is associated with different lipid profiles and risks for cardiovascular disease.

Legacy

Fredrickson's work has been instrumental in advancing the understanding of lipid disorders. His classification system remains a cornerstone in the field of cardiology and endocrinology.

Personal Life

Fredrickson was married and had three children. He was known for his dedication to research and his passion for teaching.

Also see

• Hyperlipidemia
• Lipid metabolism
• Cardiovascular disease
• Genetic disorders