Should Children Take Statins?

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The emphasis on a healthy life style including prudent diet and exercise, is key to the prevention of the development of abnormal lipid concentrations. Dietary changes using the population approach are not recommended for children <2y of age. However, some studies have examined dietary intervention at approximately seven months of age and found no adverse effects of the early dietary intervention [included total fat of <30% calories, saturated fat <10% of calories, cholesterol intake <200 mg/d and using 1.5% cow milk after 12 months of age] were observed in growth or neurological outcomes and lower LDL concentrations were found in boys and lower prevalence of obesity in girls compared to controls. Most studies of dietary intervention have been performed in older children and the results indicate that there is no harm associated with dietary changes including the use of reduced fat milk after 12 months of age. The individual approach focuses on people at high risk and if diet does not work, they may be candidates for pharmacologic intervention. The recommended diet restricts saturated fat to 7% of total calories, cholesterol of 200 mg/d.  This approach may result in the whole family being involved as well as other health care professionals such as nutritionists or dietitians.