Challenges to implementing the current pediatric cholesterol screening guidelines into practice

Abstract

Objective. The Expert Panel on Blood Cholesterol Levels in Children and Adolescents of the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) recommends selective screening of children for high blood cholesterol. We determined the number of children, who, according to the guidelines, should be targeted for cholesterol screening. Design. Population survey. Setting. Permanent household residents in Otsego County, NY. Participants. Total population- based sample of 17 444 households (86.6% response rate) including 44 565 participants, of whom 10 457 were children, aged 2 through 19 years. Main outcome measures. Percent of children qualifying for cholesterol screening under the NCEP Children's Panel guidelines. Results. Children from two- parent families were more likely to have known family history of coronary heart disease (CHD) before 60 years of age (41.8% vs 25.8%, P < .001), and twice as likely as children from single-parent families to have known parental hypercholesterolemia (18.8% vs 9.5%, P