OBJECTIVE: To determine whether APOE influences the serum levels of lipid and lipoprotein. METHODS: The distribution of apolipoprotein E phenotypes was investigated in 214 children of 2 primary schools (aged 8～12, 116 males and 98 females). Phenotypes of APOE were examined with PCR. RESULTS: The E 3/3 phenotype was demonstrated in 69.2% , E 4/3 in 19.1% , E 2/3 in 9.3% and E 4/4 in 2.4% , and E 2/2 and E 2/4 were not detected. The serum levels of total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein cholesterol and apolipoprotein B were progressively lower in phenotypes E4, E3 and E2. The serum levels of HDL C, APOA1 and TG showed no statistic difference.CONCLUSIONS: APOE phenotypes do influence serum lipids of Chinese school children.