Children with a family history of high cholesterol and heart disease, or whose history is unknown, should have their cholesterol screened, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). In addition, screenings are important when other risk factors are present, such as obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes.
Method
The best method for cholesterol screening in children, according to the AAP, is a fasting lipid profile.
Time Frame
According to the AAP, children's cholesterol screenings should begin after age two years, and the first screening should be done no later than age 10 years.
Repeat Screenings
If the cholesterol screening results are normal, testing should be repeated in three to five years.
Prevention/Solution
When cholesterol screenings reveal high LDL (bad cholesterol, which can build up and with other substances form plaque in the arteries) concentrations, children who are older than eight years may require medications to manage cholesterol in addition to nutritional counseling, weight reduction methods and regimens to increase activity. Younger children with elevated readings would also be treated with these methods, though medications may not be used.
Warning
According to the AAP, reduced-fat dairy products are recommended for young children for whom obesity is a concern. However, Keeping Kids Healthy.com warns parents against restricting calories too much, which may impede normal growth and development in children.
