In a recent study, it was found that the current guidelines regarding cholesterol screening for kids may leave about 10% of children with high LDL levels. LDL is also commonly known as bad cholesterol. One of the imperative questions in the U.S. is how soon kids should be checked for having high cholesterol. This is important as the child obesity rate is topping 20%. High blood fat levels, along with obesity leads to cardiac diseases and several other diseases which include diabetes.
U.S. Government Guidelines
According to the U.S. Government current recommendations, those children who have a hereditary history of cardiac diseases or high levels of cholesterol should be screened for high cholesterol levels. For example, if one grandparent or parent has experienced a cardiac problem like stroke or cardiac attack, or either one of them have a cholesterol levels greater than 240 mg/dL, the child is at higher risk.
Also, the government guidelines recommend that those children whose parents are ignorant or unaware about their family history should be screened for high cholesterol levels.
About the Study
The study headed by Dr. William Neal, professor of West Virginia University, made the observation based on a group of 20,000 5th graders in West Virginia. They found that, based on the national criteria, 71% of the children were eligible for the screening of high cholesterol levels.
According to experts, a good way to know and identify children who are at higher risks of having high cholesterol is by using their family history. Also, any future complications like cardiac diseases can be predicted by using the family history.
Hence, doctors may give advice, based on the results of the screening tests, to the families to make any changes in the child’s diet as well as exercise routines. They may also prescribe certain medications to bring the cholesterol levels to a normal level.
