Dyslipidemias in Children and Adolescents |Biomedgrid

The prevalence of dyslipidemia in children and adolescents varies worldwide between 2.9 and 33%, adopted as a criterion the level of total cholesterol higher than 200 mg/dL. In Brazil, the prevalence is between 28 and 40% of children and adolescents, when the criterion adopted is serum total cholesterol greater than 170 mg/dL. After 10 years of age, it is already possible to perform tests to trace the lipid profile, because it is easier to keep the child fasting and the rates presented are close to those that will be maintained during adolescence and adulthood. In summary, every child should be screened for dyslipidemias at 10 years of age. For younger children, between 2 and 10 years of age, screening is indicated if: parents, grandparents, siblings and first cousins have dyslipidemia, mainly severe or manifestation of premature atherosclerosis (total cholesterol 300 or triglycerides 400 mg/dL); clinical dyslipidemia (positive history of acute pancreatitis, eruptive xanthomas, eyelid corneal arch, ankle xanthomas, dorsal face of the hands and knees); have other risk factors; there is exposure to other diseases, such as hypothyroidism, nephrotic syndrome, systemic lupus erythematosus, diabetes mellitus, immunodeficiency, etc.; contraceptives, immunosuppressants, corticosteroids, antiretrovirals and other drugs that may induce cholesterol elevation and unknown family history are used.