Managing cholesterol in children and adolescents

Abstract

Reduction of elevated cholesterol in adults decreases risk of coronary heart disease. Despite evidence of atherosclerosis development at early ages and studies confirming cholesterol tracking from childhood into adulthood, many physicians are reluctant to screen for hypercholesterolemia in children and adolescents. Targeting screening only to children of high-risk families fails to identify as many as two-thirds of at-risk children. Dietary modification and medical therapy appears safe and effective in this age group. Recommendations for screening of all children by age 5 are made, with guidelines for managing elevated cholesterol.