Low Rates of Lipid Testing During Well Child Exams

Approximately 20% of U.S. children have abnormal lipid profiles. In 2007, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force concluded that data were not sufficient to recommend for or against routine pediatric screening. However, among new integrated guidelines for cardiovascular health in youth issued by an expert panel from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), one recommendation calls for universal lipid screening beginning at ages 9–11 years. Using data from the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey, investigators examined how often internists, family physicians and pediatricians performed lipid testing in >10,000 well child exams (age range, 2–21 years) from 1995 through 2010.

During the 16-year period, clinicians ordered lipid…