How Helpful Is Family History in Identifying Children with Elevated Cholesterol?

Screening on the basis of family history missed many children with hyperlipidemia.

In 2008, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) released revised guidelines on lipid screening in children (JW Pediatr Adolesc Med July 16 2008) and reinforced the need for selective screening in children with positive family history of cardiovascular disease (parent with high cholesterol level, parent or grandparent with documented coronary artery disease before age 55). According to the guidelines, dyslipidemia in children is defined as low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels ≥130 mg/dL, and drug therapy should be considered in children with consistent LDL levels ≥160 mg/dL despite diet therapy.

Investigators examined the accuracy of family history in identifying children with hyperlipidemia by using data from an ongoing study of 20,266 fif…

Reviewing Author

Howard Bauchner, MD

Disclosures

Grant / research supportHuman Resources and Services Administration; NIH; NIH-NHLBI; USDA; GlaxoSmithKline

Editorial boardsArchives of Disease in Childhood (Editor-in-Chief)

Howard Bauchner, MD

Disclosures

Grant / research supportHuman Resources and Services Administration; NIH; NIH-NHLBI; USDA; GlaxoSmithKline

Editorial boardsArchives of Disease in Childhood (Editor-in-Chief)

How Helpful Is Family History in Identifying Children with Elevated Cholesterol?

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Reviewing Author