Concentrations of Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol and Total Cholesterol Among Children and Adolescents in the United States

Abstract

Recently, the American Academy of Pediatrics updated guidance on lipid screening in childhood. Our objective was to examine recent distributions in concentrations of total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol among US children and adolescents and to estimate the prevalence of adolescents who are potentially eligible for pharmacological treatment for elevated concentrations of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. We used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999 to 2006 for participants 6 to 17 years of age. The mean concentration for low-density lipoprotein cholesterol for participants 12 to 17 years of age was 90.2 mg/dL (n=2724), and the mean concentration of total cholesterol among participants 6 to 17 years of age was 163.0 mg/dL (n=9868). Depending on the cut points used, an elevated concentration of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol was noted for 5.2% to 6.6% of participants and an elevated concentration of total cholesterol for 9.6% to 10.7%. Approximately 0.8% of adolescents 12 to 17 years of age were potentially eligible for pharmacological treatment for elevated concentrations of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Given current guidelines, only a small percentage of US adolescents may need pharmacological treatment for elevated concentrations of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol.