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Posted On : 22 Mar 2007

What are the current treatment guidelines for hyperlipidemia in children?

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Answer Discussion :

jayanthi

step 1 dietary therapy , life style changes
step 2 drug therapy statins

18 years ago

pediatriconcall

Dietary modification is the basis of treatment of affected children and can lower LDL cholesterol by about 15-20 Percent. In patients with severe hypercholesterolemia, dietary cholesterol intake should not exceed 150 mg-day in children or 250-300 mg-day in adolescents. Even more important is a reduction of the intake of saturated fats and trans fatty acids and their replacement by polyunsaturated and particularly monounsaturated fats. Additional drug treatment is considered in children from the age of 8-9 years of age onwards if, in spite of adequate dietary modification, LDL cholesterol remains above 190 mg-dl {4.9 mmol-l}, or above 160 mg-dl {3.9 mmol-l} in the presence of additional risk factors. The drugs of first choice are anion exchange resins {colestyramine or colestipol} because of their well documented efficacy and safety. Cholesterol synthesis inhibitors {statins} can also be used. {ref: Schweiz Med Wochenschr. 1998 Mar 28,128{13}:477-85, Pediatr Endocrinol Rev. 2004 Nov,2 Suppl 1:171-80..}

18 years ago

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