A survey of pediatric management of dyslipidemias in New England

Abstract

We recently surveyed physicians attending the New England Pediatric Preventive Cardiology Society. Sixteen physicians who actively evaluated children with dyslipidemia completed questionnaires; at least one representative from six of the seven medical schools in New England was included. The survey elicited responses to five hypothetical cases of childhood dyslipidemia which were representative of the types of lipid problems commonly referred to pediatric lipid specialists. Diet modification was the initial treatment of choice of all participants. For any set of lipid values, postpubertal age increased the proportion of respondents who would have prescribed medication. When pharmacologic intervention was elected, resin binders (cholestyramine or cholestipol) and niacin were most commonly prescribed. The responses of the physicians showed considerable variation in the threshold for beginning medications. In summary, this survey suggests substantial variation in the approach to pharmacologic management of pediatric dyslipidemias in the New England region.