Jul 7, 2008 6:12 pm US/Central
Wake Up Call For Children With Cholesterol
(WCCO)
It seems like just about everybody is worried about cholesterol, and now the American Academy of Pediatrics is worried about cholesterol in children.
The AAP issued new guidelines recommending cholesterol screening for children as young as two if they are obese, have diabetes or their parents have heart disease.
The guidelines also suggest using cholesterol-lowering drugs on children as young as eight.
"The need to make these kinds of recommendations should be one more wake up call for our society," said Dr. Sarah Jane Schwarzenberg, director of the Pediatric Weight Management Clinic at the University of Minnesota, and a board member for Minnesota's chapter of the AAP. She views this news as a call to arms.
"It's time to engage," she said. "It's time to accept that we cannot continue doing business as usual with our children and expect them to stay healthy."
Meanwhile, on the playground some parents treated the call for early screening far differently.
"If it's a simple blood test, then that's okay," said Amel Khalfaoui of Minneapolis. "But my concern is about the medication itself for kids. I would be concerned about that."
In fact, Schwarzenberg said studies show statin drugs are both safe and effective for children as young as eight. Still, parents would prefer a dose of diet and exercise over a dose of drugs.
"Send them outside to the park," said Delmer Grace of St. Paul. "Take the video game away and let 'em go run. Get them a bike, not a Sega."
Pediatricians agree, in general, but feel special cases need special help.
"I think that we're acknowledging that there is a battle," said Schwarzenberg. "And that it's time to start marshaling our forces and try to improve the health of the children who are suffering in this epidemic."
Schwarzenberg said typical adult problems, like high cholesterol, are developing at lower and lower ages, and this screening is crucial to avoid artery problems that can develop.
(© MMVIII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
