NHLBI Expert Panel Releases Guidelines for Cardiovascular Health and Risk Reduction in Children

Lisa M. Croke

<< Previous article

Next article >>

Oct 15, 2012 Issue

Practice Guidelines

NHLBI Expert Panel Releases Guidelines for Cardiovascular Health and Risk Reduction in Children

LISA HAUK

Am Fam Physician. 2012 Oct 15;86(8):776-781.

Related editorials: Should Family Physicians Routinely Screen for Hypercholesterolemia in Children? Yes: The Evidence Supports Universal Screening and No: Universal Screening Has Uncertain Benefits and High Risk of Harms.

Guideline source: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

Evidence rating system used? Yes

Literature search described? Yes

Guideline developed by participants without relevant financial ties to industry? No

Published source: Pediatrics, December 2011

Available at: http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/128/Supplement_5/S213.full

Although it is rare for cardiovascular disease (CVD) to manifest in children and adolescents, risk factors and behaviors do start in childhood. Evidence indicates that reducing risk can slow the progression of CVD; therefore, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHBLI) Expert Panel on Integrated Guidelines for Cardiovascular Health and Risk Reduction in Children and Adolescents developed guidelines to help health care professionals promote cardiovascular health and to identify and manage risk factors in children and adolescents. These guidelines were based on evidence that atherosclerosis begins, and its risk factors can be identified, in childhood; that atherosclerosis development and progression are associated with these risk factors; that risk factors track from childhood into adulthood; and that there are options for managing these risk factors.

Prevention goals in young persons should be separate from prevention goals in older persons in whom atherosclerosis is well established. Historically, preventing the development of risk factors and preventing CVD through effective management of risk factors have been the two main goals in young persons. Research supports the theory that childhood populations with lower levels of cardiovascular risk factors will have less atherosclerosis and CVD as adults.

Table 1 provides the integrated cardiovascular health schedule.

Enlarge Print

Table 1.

Integrated Cardiovascular Health Schedule

Risk factor	Age
Risk factor	Birth to 12 months	1 to 4 years	5 to 9 years	9 to 11 years	12 to 17 years	18 to 21 years
Family history of early CVD	—	At 3 years, evaluate family history for early CVD: parents, grandparents, aunts/uncles, men ≤ 55 years, women ≤ 65 years; review with parents and refer as needed; positive family history identifies children for intensive CVD risk factor attention	Update at each nonurgent health encounter	Reevaluate family history for early CVD in parents, grandparents, aunts/uncles, men ≤ 55 years, women ≤ 65 years	Update at each nonurgent health encounter	Repeat family history evaluation with patient
Tobacco exposure	Advise smoke-free home; offer smoking cessation assistance or referral to parents	Continue active antismoking advice with parents; offer smoking cessation assistance and referral as needed	Obtain smoke exposure history from child; begin active antismoking advice with child	Assess smoking status of child; active antismoking counseling or referral as needed	Continue active antismoking counseling with patient; offer smoking cessation assistance or referral as needed	Reinforce strong antismoking message; offer smoking cessation assistance or referral as needed
Nutrition/diet	Support breastfeeding as optimal to 12 months of age if possible; add formula if breastfeeding decreases or stops before 12 months of age	At age 12 to 24 months, may change to cow's milk with 2% fat decided by family and children's health care professional; after 2 years of age, fat-free milk for all; juice ≤ 4 oz per day; transition to CHILD-1* by 2 years of age	Reinforce CHILD-1* messages	Reinforce CHILD-1* messages as needed	Obtain diet information from child and use to reinforce healthy diet and limitations; provide counseling as needed	Review healthy diet with patient
Growth, overweight/obesity	Review family history for obesity; discuss weight-for-height tracking, growth chart, and healthy diet	Chart height/weight/BMI; classify weight by BMI from age 2 years; review with parent	Chart height/weight/BMI and review with parent; BMI ≥ 85th percentile, crossing percentiles: intensify diet/activity focus for 6 months; if no change, registered dietitian referral, manage per obesity algorithms; BMI ≥ 95th percentile: manage per obesity algorithms	Chart height/weight/BMI and review with parent and child; BMI ≥ 85th percentile, crossing percentiles: intensify diet/activity focus for 6 months; if no change, registered dietitian referral, manage per obesity algorithms; BMI ≥ 95th percentile: manage per obesity algorithms	Chart height/weight/BMI and review with child and parent; BMI ≥ 85th percentile, crossing percentiles: intensify diet/activity focus for 6 months; if no change, registered dietitian referral, manage per obesity algorithms; BMI ≥ 95th percentile: manage per obesity algorithms	Review height/weight/BMI and norms for health with patient; BMI ≥ 85th percentile, crossing percentiles: intensify diet/activity focus for 6 months; if no change, registered dietitian referral, manage per obesity algorithms; BMI ≥ 95th percentile: manage per obesity algorithms
Lipids	No routine lipid screening	Obtain fasting lipid profile only if family history for CVD is positive, parent has dyslipidemia, child has any other risk factors or high-risk condition	Obtain fasting lipid profile only if family history for CVD is positive, parent has dyslipidemia, child has any other risk factors or high-risk condition	Obtain universal lipid screen with nonfasting non-HDL cholesterol (total cholesterol minus HDL cholesterol), or fasting lipid profile; manage per lipid algorithms as needed	Obtain fasting lipid profile if family history newly positive, parent has dyslipidemia, child has any other risk factors or high-risk condition; manage per lipid algorithms as needed	Measure one nonfasting non-HDL cholesterol or fasting lipid profile in all: review with patient; manage with lipid algorithms per Adult Treatment Panel guidelines as needed
Blood pressure	Measure blood pressure in infants with renal/urologic/cardiac diagnosis or history of neonatal intensive care unit	Check blood pressure annually in all from the age of 3 years; chart for age/sex/height percentile and review with parent	Check blood pressure annually and chart for age/sex/height: review with parent; workup or management per blood pressure algorithm as needed	Check blood pressure annually and chart for age/sex/height: review with parent; workup or management per blood pressure algorithm as needed	Check blood pressure annually and chart for age/sex/height: review with parent; workup and/or management per blood pressure algorithm as needed	Check blood pressure: review with patient; evaluate and treat per Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure guidelines
Physical activity	Encourage parents to model routine activity; no screen time before the age of 2 years	Encourage active play; limit sedentary/screen time to ≤ 2 hours per day; no television in bedroom	Recommend moderate-to-vigorous physical activity of ≥ 1 hour per day; limit screen/sedentary time to ≤ 2 hours per day	Obtain activity history from child: recommend moderate-to-vigorous physical activity of ≥ 1 hour per day and leisure screen time of ≤ 2 hours per day	Use activity history with adolescent to reinforce moderate-to-vigorous physical activity of ≥ 1 hour per day and leisure screen time of ≤ 2 hours per day	Discuss lifelong activity, sedentary time limits with patient
Diabetes mellitus	—	—	—	Measure fasting glucose level per American Diabetes Association guidelines; refer to endocrinologist as needed	Measure fasting glucose level per American Diabetes Association guidelines; refer to endocrinologist as needed	Measure fasting glucose level if indicated; refer to endocrinologist as needed

BMI = body mass index; CHILD = cardiovascular health integrated lifestyle diet; CVD = cardiovascular disease; HDL = high-density lipoprotein.

*—Recommended intakes are adequately met by a DASH (dietary approaches to stop hypertension)–style eating plan, which emphasizes fat-free/low-fat dairy and increased intake of fruits and vegetables. This diet has been modified for use in children four years and older on the basis of daily energy needs according to food group.

Adapted with permission from National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Expert Panel on Integrated Guidelines for Cardiovascular Health and Risk Reduction in Children and Adolescents: summary report. Pediatrics. 2011;128(suppl 5):S219.

Table 1.

Integrated Cardiovascular Health Schedule

Risk factor	Age
Risk factor	Birth to 12 months	1 to 4 years	5 to 9 years	9 to 11 years	12 to 17 years	18 to 21 years
Family history of early CVD	—	At 3 years, evaluate family history for early CVD: parents, grandparents, aunts/uncles, men ≤ 55 years, women ≤ 65 years; review with parents and refer as needed; positive family history identifies children for intensive CVD risk factor attention	Update at each nonurgent health encounter	Reevaluate family history for early CVD in parents, grandparents, aunts/uncles, men ≤ 55 years, women ≤ 65 years	Update at each nonurgent health encounter	Repeat family history evaluation with patient
Tobacco exposure	Advise smoke-free home; offer smoking cessation assistance or referral to parents	Continue active antismoking advice with parents; offer smoking cessation assistance and referral as needed	Obtain smoke exposure history from child; begin active antismoking advice with child	Assess smoking status of child; active antismoking counseling or referral as needed	Continue active antismoking counseling with patient; offer smoking cessation assistance or referral as needed	Reinforce strong antismoking message; offer smoking cessation assistance or referral as needed
Nutrition/diet	Support breastfeeding as optimal to 12 months of age if possible; add formula if breastfeeding decreases or stops before 12 months of age	At age 12 to 24 months, may change to cow's milk with 2% fat decided by family and children's health care professional; after 2 years of age, fat-free milk for all; juice ≤ 4 oz per day; transition to CHILD-1* by 2 years of age	Reinforce CHILD-1* messages	Reinforce CHILD-1* messages as needed	Obtain diet information from child and use to reinforce healthy diet and limitations; provide counseling as needed	Review healthy diet with patient
Growth, overweight/obesity	Review family history for obesity; discuss weight-for-height tracking, growth chart, and healthy diet	Chart height/weight/BMI; classify weight by BMI from age 2 years; review with parent	Chart height/weight/BMI and review with parent; BMI ≥ 85th percentile, crossing percentiles: intensify diet/activity focus for 6 months; if no change, registered dietitian referral, manage per obesity algorithms; BMI ≥ 95th percentile: manage per obesity algorithms	Chart height/weight/BMI and review with parent and child; BMI ≥ 85th percentile, crossing percentiles: intensify diet/activity focus for 6 months; if no change, registered dietitian referral, manage per obesity algorithms; BMI ≥ 95th percentile: manage per obesity algorithms	Chart height/weight/BMI and review with child and parent; BMI ≥ 85th percentile, crossing percentiles: intensify diet/activity focus for 6 months; if no change, registered dietitian referral, manage per obesity algorithms; BMI ≥ 95th percentile: manage per obesity algorithms	Review height/weight/BMI and norms for health with patient; BMI ≥ 85th percentile, crossing percentiles: intensify diet/activity focus for 6 months; if no change, registered dietitian referral, manage per obesity algorithms; BMI ≥ 95th percentile: manage per obesity algorithms
Lipids	No routine lipid screening	Obtain fasting lipid profile only if family history for CVD is positive, parent has dyslipidemia, child has any other risk factors or high-risk condition	Obtain fasting lipid profile only if family history for CVD is positive, parent has dyslipidemia, child has any other risk factors or high-risk condition	Obtain universal lipid screen with nonfasting non-HDL cholesterol (total cholesterol minus HDL cholesterol), or fasting lipid profile; manage per lipid algorithms as needed	Obtain fasting lipid profile if family history newly positive, parent has dyslipidemia, child has any other risk factors or high-risk condition; manage per lipid algorithms as needed	Measure one nonfasting non-HDL cholesterol or fasting lipid profile in all: review with patient; manage with lipid algorithms per Adult Treatment Panel guidelines as needed
Blood pressure	Measure blood pressure in infants with renal/urologic/cardiac diagnosis or history of neonatal intensive care unit	Check blood pressure annually in all from the age of 3 years; chart for age/sex/height percentile and review with parent	Check blood pressure annually and chart for age/sex/height: review with parent; workup or management per blood pressure algorithm as needed	Check blood pressure annually and chart for age/sex/height: review with parent; workup or management per blood pressure algorithm as needed	Check blood pressure annually and chart for age/sex/height: review with parent; workup and/or management per blood pressure algorithm as needed	Check blood pressure: review with patient; evaluate and treat per Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure guidelines
Physical activity	Encourage parents to model routine activity; no screen time before the age of 2 years	Encourage active play; limit sedentary/screen time to ≤ 2 hours per day; no television in bedroom	Recommend moderate-to-vigorous physical activity of ≥ 1 hour per day; limit screen/sedentary time to ≤ 2 hours per day	Obtain activity history from child: recommend moderate-to-vigorous physical activity of ≥ 1 hour per day and leisure screen time of ≤ 2 hours per day	Use activity history with adolescent to reinforce moderate-to-vigorous physical activity of ≥ 1 hour per day and leisure screen time of ≤ 2 hours per day	Discuss lifelong activity, sedentary time limits with patient
Diabetes mellitus	—	—	—	Measure fasting glucose level per American Diabetes Association guidelines; refer to endocrinologist as needed	Measure fasting glucose level per American Diabetes Association guidelines; refer to endocrinologist as needed	Measure fasting glucose level if indicated; refer to endocrinologist as needed

BMI = body mass index; CHILD = cardiovascular health integrated lifestyle diet; CVD = cardiovascular disease; HDL = high-density lipoprotein.

Lipid and lipoprotein levels in childhood are predictive of levels in adulthood, with the strongest relationship occurring between levels in late childhood and at age 20 to 40 years. Table 2 lists normal lipid and lipoprotein distributions in children and adolescents. Total and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels can decrease by 10 to 20 percent or more during puberty. Based on this, a stable time for lipid evaluation would be 10 years of age, which is before puberty in most children.

Enlarge Print

Table 2.

Acceptable, Borderline-High, and High Plasma Lipid, Lipoprotein, and Apolipoprotein Concentrations for Children and Adolescents

Category		Low (mg per dL)*	Acceptable (mg per dL)	Borderline-high (mg per dL)*	High (mg per dL)*
Total cholesterol		—	< 170	170 to 199	≥ 200
LDL cholesterol		—	< 110	110 to 129	≥ 130
Non-HDL cholesterol		—	< 120	120 to 144	≥ 145
Apolipoprotein B		—	< 90	90 to 109	≥ 110
Triglycerides
	0 to 9 years of age	—	< 75	75 to 99	≥ 100
	10 to 19 years of age	—	< 90	90 to 129	≥ 130
HDL cholesterol		< 40	> 45	40 to 45	—
Apolipoprotein A-1		< 115	> 120	115 to 120	—

note: Values for plasma lipid and lipoprotein levels are from the National Cholesterol Education Program Expert Panel on Cholesterol Levels in Children. Non-HDL cholesterol values from the Bogalusa Heart Study are equivalent to the National Cholesterol Education Program Pediatric Panel cut points for LDL cholesterol. Values for plasma apolipoprotein B and apolipoprotein A-1 are from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III. Note that values shown are in mg per dL; to convert to SI units, divide the results for total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and non-HDL cholesterol by 38.6; for triglycerides, divide by 88.6.

HDL = high-density lipoprotein; LDL = low-density lipoprotein.

*—Low cut points for HDL cholesterol and apolipoprotein A-1 represent approximately the 10th percentile. The cut points for high and borderline-high represent approximately the 95th and 75th percentiles, respectively.

Table 2.

Acceptable, Borderline-High, and High Plasma Lipid, Lipoprotein, and Apolipoprotein Concentrations for Children and Adolescents

Category		Low (mg per dL)*	Acceptable (mg per dL)	Borderline-high (mg per dL)*	High (mg per dL)*
Total cholesterol		—	< 170	170 to 199	≥ 200
LDL cholesterol		—	< 110	110 to 129	≥ 130
Non-HDL cholesterol		—	< 120	120 to 144	≥ 145
Apolipoprotein B		—	< 90	90 to 109	≥ 110
Triglycerides
	0 to 9 years of age	—	< 75	75 to 99	≥ 100
	10 to 19 years of age	—	< 90	90 to 129	≥ 130
HDL cholesterol		< 40	> 45	40 to 45	—
Apolipoprotein A-1		< 115	> 120	115 to 120	—

HDL = high-density lipoprotein; LDL = low-density lipoprotein.

To reduce total and LDL cholesterol levels, children should eat a diet made up of 25 to 30 percent of calories from fat, with less than 10 percent from saturated fat, and less than 300 mg of cholesterol per day (e.g., CHILD-1 [cardiovascular health integrated lifestyle diet]). Some evidence indicates that this type of diet also reduces total and LDL cholesterol levels if started in infancy and continued through adolescence. A diet that has no more than 7 percent of calories from saturated fat and less than 200 mg of cholesterol per day (CHILD-2-LDL) has been shown to decrease LDL cholesterol levels in children diagnosed with hypercholesterolemia and an elevated LDL cholesterol level. Table 3 briefly summarizes the various recommended diets.

Enlarge Print

Table 3.

Evidence-Based Recommendations for Pharmacologic Treatment of Dyslipidemia

Age	Recommendation	Grade and recommendation levels
Birth to 10 years	Pharmacologic treatment is limited to children with severe primary hyperlipidemia (homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia, primary hypertriglyceridemia*), a high-risk condition, or evident cardiovascular disease, all under the care of a lipid specialist	C; recommend
≥ 10 to21 years	Detailed family history and risk factor assessment required before initiation of drug therapy†	C; strongly recommend
	LDL cholesterol:
	If average LDL cholesterol ≥ 250 mg per dL,† consult lipid specialist	B; strongly recommend
	If average LDL cholesterol ≥ 130 to 250 mg per dL, or non-HDL cholesterol ≥ 145 mg per dL, refer to dietitian for medical nutrition therapy with CHILD-1‡ then CHILD-2–LDL§ for 6 months; repeat fasting lipid profile	A; strongly recommend
	Repeat fasting lipid profile:
	LDL cholesterol < 130 mg per dL, continue CHILD-2–LDL,§ reevaluate in 12 months	A; strongly recommend
	LDL cholesterol ≥ 190 mg per dL,\|\| consider initiation of statin therapy	A; strongly recommend
	LDL cholesterol ≥ 130 to 189 mg per dL, negative family history, no other risk factor or risk condition, continue CHILD-2–LDL,§ reevaluate every 6 months	B; recommend
	LDL cholesterol is 160 to 189 mg per dL with a positive family history or at least one high-level risk factor/condition or at least two moderate-level risk factors/conditions, consider statin therapy	B; recommend
	LDL cholesterol ≥ 130 to 159 mg per dL and at least two high-level risk factors/conditions, or one high-level risk factor and two moderate-level risk factors/conditions, consider statin therapy	B; recommend
	Children on statin therapy should be counseled and carefully monitored	A; strongly recommend
≥ 10 to 21 years	Detailed family history and risk factor/condition assessment required before initiation of drug therapy†¶	C; strongly recommend
	Triglycerides:
	If average triglycerides ≥ 500 mg per dL, consult lipid specialist	B; recommend
	If average triglycerides ≥ 100 mg per dL in a child younger than 10 years, ≥ 130 mg per dL in a child 10 to 19 years of age, or < 500 mg per dL, refer to dietitian for medical nutrition therapy with CHILD-1,‡ then CHILD-2–TG** for 6 months	B; recommend
	Repeat fasting lipid profile:
	Triglycerides < 100 (130) mg per dL, continue CHILD-2–TG,** monitor every 6 to 12 months	B; strongly recommend
	Triglycerides > 100 (130) mg per dL, reconsult dietitian for intensified CHILD-2–TG** counseling	C; recommend
	Triglycerides ≥ 200 to 499 mg per dL, non-HDL cholesterol ≥ 145 mg per dL, consider fish oil and/or consult lipid specialist	D; recommend
	Non-HDL cholesterol:
	Children at least 10 years of age with non-HDL cholesterol ≥ 145 mg per dL after LDL cholesterol goal is achieved may be considered for additional treatment with statins, fibrates, or niacin in conjunction with a lipid specialist consultation	D; optional

note: Grades reflect the findings of the evidence review, and recommendation levels reflect the consensus opinion of the expert panel. When medication is recommended, it should always be in the context of the complete cardiovascular risk profile of the patient and in consultation with the patient and the family.

Evidence grading system:

A = Well-designed randomized controlled trials or diagnostic studies performed on a population similar to the guideline's target population.

B = Randomized controlled trials or diagnostic studies with minor limitations; genetic natural history studies; overwhelmingly consistent evidence from observational studies.

C = Observational studies (case-control and cohort design).

D = Expert opinion, case reports, or reasoning from first principles (bench research or animal studies).

CHILD = cardiovascular health integrated lifestyle diet; HDL = high-density lipoprotein; LDL = low-density lipoprotein; TG = triglyceride.

*—Triglyceride level ≥ 500 mg per dL.

†—Consideration of drug therapy is based on the average of at least two fasting lipid profiles, obtained at least 2 weeks but no more than 3 months apart.

‡—Recommended intakes are adequately met by a DASH (dietary approaches to stop hypertension)–style eating plan, which emphasizes fat-free/low-fat dairy and increased intake of fruits and vegetables. This diet has been modified for use in children four years and older on the basis of daily energy needs according to food group.

§—For children with elevated LDL cholesterol. Diet consists of 25 to 30 percent of calories from fat, no more than 7 percent from saturated fat, and approximately 10 percent from monounsaturated fat; less than 200 mg per day of cholesterol; and avoidance of trans fats.

||—If average LDL cholesterol ≥ 190 mg per dL after CHILD-2–LDL and child is 8 to 9 years of age with a positive family history or at least one high-level risk factor/condition or at least two moderate-level risk factors/conditions, statin therapy may be considered.

¶—If the child is obese, nutrition therapy should include calorie restriction and increased activity beyond that recommended for all children.

**—For children with elevated triglycerides or non-HDL cholesterol. Diet consists of 25 to 30 percent of calories from fat, no more than 7 percent from saturated fat, and approximately 10 percent from monounsaturated fat; less than 200 mg per day of cholesterol; avoidance of trans fat; decreased sugar intake; and increased fish intake (to increase omega-3 fatty acids).

Table 3.

Evidence-Based Recommendations for Pharmacologic Treatment of Dyslipidemia

Age	Recommendation	Grade and recommendation levels
Birth to 10 years	Pharmacologic treatment is limited to children with severe primary hyperlipidemia (homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia, primary hypertriglyceridemia*), a high-risk condition, or evident cardiovascular disease, all under the care of a lipid specialist	C; recommend
≥ 10 to21 years	Detailed family history and risk factor assessment required before initiation of drug therapy†	C; strongly recommend
	LDL cholesterol:
	If average LDL cholesterol ≥ 250 mg per dL,† consult lipid specialist	B; strongly recommend
	If average LDL cholesterol ≥ 130 to 250 mg per dL, or non-HDL cholesterol ≥ 145 mg per dL, refer to dietitian for medical nutrition therapy with CHILD-1‡ then CHILD-2–LDL§ for 6 months; repeat fasting lipid profile	A; strongly recommend
	Repeat fasting lipid profile:
	LDL cholesterol < 130 mg per dL, continue CHILD-2–LDL,§ reevaluate in 12 months	A; strongly recommend
	LDL cholesterol ≥ 190 mg per dL,\|\| consider initiation of statin therapy	A; strongly recommend
	LDL cholesterol ≥ 130 to 189 mg per dL, negative family history, no other risk factor or risk condition, continue CHILD-2–LDL,§ reevaluate every 6 months	B; recommend
	LDL cholesterol is 160 to 189 mg per dL with a positive family history or at least one high-level risk factor/condition or at least two moderate-level risk factors/conditions, consider statin therapy	B; recommend
	LDL cholesterol ≥ 130 to 159 mg per dL and at least two high-level risk factors/conditions, or one high-level risk factor and two moderate-level risk factors/conditions, consider statin therapy	B; recommend
	Children on statin therapy should be counseled and carefully monitored	A; strongly recommend
≥ 10 to 21 years	Detailed family history and risk factor/condition assessment required before initiation of drug therapy†¶	C; strongly recommend
	Triglycerides:
	If average triglycerides ≥ 500 mg per dL, consult lipid specialist	B; recommend
	If average triglycerides ≥ 100 mg per dL in a child younger than 10 years, ≥ 130 mg per dL in a child 10 to 19 years of age, or < 500 mg per dL, refer to dietitian for medical nutrition therapy with CHILD-1,‡ then CHILD-2–TG** for 6 months	B; recommend
	Repeat fasting lipid profile:
	Triglycerides < 100 (130) mg per dL, continue CHILD-2–TG,** monitor every 6 to 12 months	B; strongly recommend
	Triglycerides > 100 (130) mg per dL, reconsult dietitian for intensified CHILD-2–TG** counseling	C; recommend
	Triglycerides ≥ 200 to 499 mg per dL, non-HDL cholesterol ≥ 145 mg per dL, consider fish oil and/or consult lipid specialist	D; recommend
	Non-HDL cholesterol:
	Children at least 10 years of age with non-HDL cholesterol ≥ 145 mg per dL after LDL cholesterol goal is achieved may be considered for additional treatment with statins, fibrates, or niacin in conjunction with a lipid specialist consultation	D; optional

Evidence grading system:

A = Well-designed randomized controlled trials or diagnostic studies performed on a population similar to the guideline's target population.

B = Randomized controlled trials or diagnostic studies with minor limitations; genetic natural history studies; overwhelmingly consistent evidence from observational studies.

C = Observational studies (case-control and cohort design).

D = Expert opinion, case reports, or reasoning from first principles (bench research or animal studies).

CHILD = cardiovascular health integrated lifestyle diet; HDL = high-density lipoprotein; LDL = low-density lipoprotein; TG = triglyceride.

*—Triglyceride level ≥ 500 mg per dL.

†—Consideration of drug therapy is based on the average of at least two fasting lipid profiles, obtained at least 2 weeks but no more than 3 months apart.

¶—If the child is obese, nutrition therapy should include calorie restriction and increased activity beyond that recommended for all children.

In children with familial hypercholesterolemia, up to 20 g per day of a dietary supplement (e.g., plant sterol or stanol esters) can augment LDL cholesterol–lowering effects in the short term. Long-term trials have not been performed; therefore, these types of dietary supplements are typically used only for children in whom LDL cholesterol goals cannot be achieved with dietary therapy alone, with the hope that they may lower LDL cholesterol levels enough to avoid using medication. Consuming a diet with fewer simple carbohydrates (and with more complex carbohydrates and less saturated fat) and losing weight are associated with lower triglyceride levels. Children with elevated triglyceride levels and obesity should eat fewer calories, with the CHILD-2–TG being the recommended diet. It is also important that these children get more physical activity.

Table 3 provides the recommendations for pharmacologic treatment of dyslipidemia.

Coverage of guidelines from other organizations does not imply endorsement by AFP or the AAFP.

A collection of Practice Guidelines published in AFP is available at https://www.aafp.org/afp/practguide.

Copyright © 2012 by the American Academy of Family Physicians.
This content is owned by the AAFP. A person viewing it online may make one printout of the material and may use that printout only for his or her personal, non-commercial reference. This material may not otherwise be downloaded, copied, printed, stored, transmitted or reproduced in any medium, whether now known or later invented, except as authorized in writing by the AAFP. Contact afpserv@aafp.org for copyright questions and/or permission requests.