Hypercholesterolemia and Hypertriglyceridemia in Children

Abstract

Atherosclerosis may have its genesis in childhood. Familial and acquired hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia are easily described in children. Early diagnosis, family studies, and diet and drug therapy provide an opportunity for long-range primary amelioration of risk factors that contribute to atherosclerosis in adult life.Although there is currently no conclusive evidence that normalization of serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels in children will Downloaded From: http://archpedi.jamanetwork.com/ by a University of California -San Diego User on 06/08/2015

High and low density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in hypercholesterolemic school children

“…Pediatricians and family physicians, by virtue of early recognition of childhood hyperlipoproteinemia and other risk factors for CHD, play a central role in the collective approach to primary prevention of atherosclerosis (13)(14)(15)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26)(27)(28)(29). Progressive increments in pediatric population lipid sampling will inevitably provide increasing numbers of children diagnosed as "hypercholesterolemic" children.…”

Lipoprotein measurements--a necessity for precise assessment of risk in children from high-risk families

“…The importance of detecting risk factors for CHD as early as possible in childhood is now well accepted (Glueck et al, 1974;Levy and Rifkind, 1974;Lauer et al, 1975). It is assumed, but not yet confirmed, that instituting measures to correct these risk factors early in childhood will prevent, or at least delay, the onset of atherosclerosis and its main manifestation-CHD.…”

“…Hence, screening children to detect FH is recommended by some but not all paediatricians (Lloyd, 1975). However, it is generally agreed that children from high-risk families-that is families with a history of accelerated atherosclerosis or hyperlipoproteinaemia-should be examined for detection of FH (Tamir et al, 1972;Glueck et al, 1974;Leonard et al, 1976;Lloyd, 1977).…”

Selected Nutrient Intakes of Free-Living White Children Ages 6–19 Years. The Lipid Research Clinics Program Prevalence Study(40, 41)

“…There is a growing consensus that the biochemical and anatomical precursors of atherosclerosis, as well as food habits, have their genesis in childhood (9,17,22,28). Knowledge about nutrient intake in children is an important first step toward understanding the influence of diet on the atherosclerotic process that starts early in life.…”