Elevated Cholesterol Levels in Children: Causes, Therapies, and Further Insights
In a bid to maintain the health and well-being of children, it's essential to keep a close eye on their cholesterol levels. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) recommends that children with high cholesterol risk factors should have their levels tested.
Cholesterol, a fatty substance produced by the liver and present in certain food products, can cause problems in children, including heart disease and stroke. High consumption of saturated and trans fats can lead to high cholesterol levels in children.
Common causes of high cholesterol in children include overweight or obesity and lack of physical exercise, medical conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, kidney disease, juvenile arthritis, or Kawasaki disease, family history of high cholesterol or early heart disease, and inherited genetic disorders like familial hypercholesterolemia (FH).
FH, a metabolic disease caused by defective LDL receptor activity leading to high LDL cholesterol levels and early cardiovascular disease, affects 1 in 250 people worldwide. Children with FH usually do not have symptoms of high cholesterol, but they have a 50% chance of passing the condition to their children.
The American Heart Association (AHA) provides guidelines for acceptable, borderline, and abnormal levels of cholesterol in children and adolescents aged 0-19 years. A child should have their cholesterol levels checked every 5 years or more frequently, depending on risk factors and recommendations from a doctor. The NHLBI recommends a child have their cholesterol levels tested between the ages of 9-11 years, and then undergo a cholesterol screening every 5 years or sooner, depending on certain risk factors.
Management and treatment strategies focus on lifestyle changes, cholesterol monitoring, and possibly medication, especially in genetic cases like FH. Encouraging healthy eating that replaces saturated fats with healthy unsaturated fats, such as monounsaturated fats (olive oil, avocado, nuts) and polyunsaturated omega-3 fats (found in fish like salmon, walnuts, flaxseed), increasing physical activity, and maintaining a healthy weight are crucial steps in managing high cholesterol in children.
Monitoring cholesterol levels is also vital. Children with risk factors should have their cholesterol checked between ages 9-11 and again at 17-21. Earlier screening (2-8 years) may be advised if risk factors or family history are present. For children with FH or persistently high cholesterol despite lifestyle measures, medications such as statins might be considered under specialist guidance.
Management of underlying medical conditions like diabetes or hypertension also helps control cholesterol levels. Early intervention is important to reduce the risk of atherosclerosis and heart disease in adulthood. Inherited forms often require lifelong management combining lifestyle and medication.
If a parent or guardian notices any signs of heart problems in their child, they should contact their doctor. High levels of cholesterol can put children at risk of developing heart disease, stroke, heart attack, and chronic kidney disease. A 2016 study found that 26.2% of children with diabetes had dyslipidemia, a condition that lowers HDL levels and raises LDL levels.
In summary, common causes of high cholesterol in children include overweight/obesity, medical conditions, genetics (family history and FH), and an unhealthy diet. Management involves lifestyle changes, cholesterol monitoring, and possibly medication, especially in genetic cases like FH. Parents or caregivers should take measures to manage their child's risk of high cholesterol, such as encouraging a healthy diet, regular exercise, and knowing the symptoms of diabetes.
- Pfizer, a leading pharmaceutical company, has been conducting extensive research on familial hypercholesterolemia (FH), a metabolic disease that causes high levels of LDL cholesterol and increased risk of cardiovascular health issues in children.
- To manage medical-conditions like diabetes mellitus, hypertension, or underlying health problems that contribute to high cholesterol levels in children, science and medical-advances are crucial to ensure health-and-wellness, as well as cardiovascular-health.
- Some children might require blocked, or restricted, intake of specific food products containing high levels of saturated and trans fats, as their consumption can lead to high cholesterol levels, potentially disrupting health-and-wellness and cardiovascular-health.
