Stability of High Cholesterol Levels in Children

Most children with high LDL cholesterol levels had substantially lower levels at the next examination.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) 2008 guideline for cholesterol management in children (JW Pediatr Adolesc Med Jul 16 2008) suggests that pharmacologic treatment be considered for children with low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels ≥190 mg/dL or ≥160 mg/dL if other risk factors are present. Investigators examined the stability of LDL cholesterol levels in 6827 children (37% black) who participated in the Bogalusa (Louisiana) Heart Study (1973–2002). The children were retested an average of five times (median interval, 3 years) from age 5 years to 44 years.

Overall, correlations between initial and subsequent LDL cholesterol levels were moderate to high. Most children with initial LDL cholesterol levels between 160 and 189 …

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)

Stability of High Cholesterol Levels in Children

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Reviewing Author