Lipid Screening in Childhood — New Recommendations from the AAP

Controversial new recommendations advocate wider screening and use of statins in children.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has released a new clinical report on lipid screening in children that replaces its 1998 policy statement. Much of the background information is not new: (1) autopsy data indicate that the atherosclerotic process begins in childhood and that elevated cholesterol levels in childhood are associated with increased risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) in adulthood; (2) lipid and lipoprotein levels rise rapidly early in life and stabilize by age 5 to levels similar to those of adolescents; and (3) currently, about 35% to 45% of children are screened because of positive family history of CVD.

So, what is new since the 1998 report was published? First, the average weight of U.S. children is rising as the ob…

Reviewing Author

JoAnne M. Foody, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory boardAegerion; Amarin; Bristol-Myers Squibb; Janssen; Merck; Pfizer; Sanofi-Aventis; Boehringer Ingelheim

Leadership positions in professional societiesAmerican College of Cardiology, Cardiosmart (Co-chair)

JoAnne M. Foody, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory boardAegerion; Amarin; Bristol-Myers Squibb; Janssen; Merck; Pfizer; Sanofi-Aventis; Boehringer Ingelheim

Leadership positions in professional societiesAmerican College of Cardiology, Cardiosmart (Co-chair)

Lipid Screening in Childhood — New Recommendations from the AAP

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Reviewing Author