New research published in the journal Pediatrics, the pediatricians in the United States called for examination of cholesterol for all children. They proposed the addition of categories in the current guidelines, in which only target adults or the elderly who suffer from heart disease or high cholesterol. In fact, there are guidelines that did not call checks for children.
Research leader Dr William Neal of West Virginia University said that examinations for all children will identify children who suffer significant risk of premature heart disease.
Neal added, taking care of children with cholesterol-lowering drugs called statins, can reduce the risk of experiencing heart problems when stepping on middle age. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in Western countries.
Based on data from West Virginia, Neal and his colleagues found more than one percent of all fifth graders have cholesterol levels that require treatment with medication. However, a third child did not have families who suffer from heart disease or high cholesterol.
"I gradually began to believe that a thorough examination of the children, not just an option, but necessary," said Neal.
He added that despite a thorough examination is expensive, but will save lots of money later if heart disease is preventable.
But not all experts agree that screening is a good idea. For example, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, a panel of federal experts, now we do not recommend routine cholesterol checks on children.
"Unfortunately, there is no evidence that starting cholesterol-lowering drugs to prevent heart disease 40 years later," said Dr. Michael L. LeFevre, a task force member.
He said treatment using statins in children is still controversial, and no long-term safety data.
Studies conducted by Neal and his team reviewed data for more than 20,000 children have been examined in various public schools in West Virginia in the past five years.
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