Pediatric Dyslipidemia and Screening Recommendations

Abstract

Pediatric dyslipidemia affects approximately 20% of children ages 6 to 19 years. This disease is impacted by and contributes to many factors, including obesity, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and hypothyroidism. Obesity doubles the risk of dyslipidemia, but 26% to 63% of normal-weight children have lipid abnormalities. Dyslipidemia contributes to pediatric onset of atherosclerotic changes, and early adult cardiovascular complications. Sedentary lifestyle and poor food choices are the primary causes, but familial hypercholesterolemia affects 1 in 200 to 500 individuals. Evidence-based guidelines and screening recommendations are inconsistent among disciplines, there is poor compliance with utilization, and treatment options lack long-term outcome data.