Study of children’s cholesterol is reassuring, doctors say

DALLAS (AP) — Fewer than 1 percent of American teens are likely to need cholesterol drugs, says a new study that offers some reassuring news on the childhood obesity front.

Last year, the American Academy of Pediatrics issued eyebrow-raising new guidelines: Doctors were urged to consider cholesterol drugs for more kids, even as young as 8, if they had high levels of “bad cholesterol,” or LDL, along with other health problems such as obesity and high blood pressure.

Now, a new study published online Monday in the American Heart Association’s journal Circulation helps allay concerns that “many, many” children might need to be on cholesterol drugs, said Dr. Stephen Daniels, lead author of the pediatric guidelines.

The new pediatrics guidance was based on growing evidence that damage leading to heart disease begins early in life. At the same time, recent research has shown that cholesterol-fighting drugs are generally safe for children.

For the new study, researchers looked at data from about 10,000 children who took part in a national government health survey from 1999 to 2006. Of those, about 2,700 in the 12-to-17 group had LDL levels measured. About 5 percent to 7 percent of these youth had elevated LDL.

Then the researchers checked those numbers against the pediatric academy guidelines. About 0.8 percent fit the profile of those needing treatment with cholesterol-lowering drugs to ward off future heart problems. Based on 25 million Americans in that age group, the findings translate to about 200,000 young people.