High Cholesterol in Children and Teens

High cholesterol affects more people than adults. Children and teens may also have elevated cholesterol levels, which can cause health issues as they get older. Plaque accumulates on the artery walls that provide blood to the heart and other organs when there is an excessive buildup of fats. Plaque can cause cardiac problems by creating artery narrowing and blocking blood flow to the heart. Other health issues, such as stroke, are also link to cholesterol.

What causes elevated cholesterol in kids?

Three factors heredity, diet, and obesity are associate with children’s cholesterol levels. Kids with high fat typically have parents who also have high cholesterol.

What are some good food examples?

For breakfast, some healthy options are fruit, cereal, muesli and yoghurt. Instead of whole or 2 per cent milk, use skim or low-fat milk.

Instead of frying your lunch and supper food, try baking or grilling it. To create a healthy sandwich, use whole-grain breads and buns. Additionally, serve whole-grain crackers with your child’s soups, stews, and chilli. Prepare dishes such as pasta, beans, rice, fish, skinless chicken, and others. Always accompany meals with fresh fruit (in its peel).

For snacks, kids will love fruits, veggies, breads, and cereals. Fruit drinks and soda should be avoide by kids.

How childhood is elevated cholesterol identified?

An easy blood test can be use by medical practitioners to check a child’s cholesterol who is of school age. Such a test should be performed especially if there is a history of heart disease in the family or if one of the child’s parents has excessive fats. The results of the blood test will demonstrate whether a child has extremely high fats.

The American Academy of Paediatrics released revise recommendations and guidelines for the management of elevate fats in children eight years of age and older in July 2008. According to these recommendations, patients with increased LDL (bad cholesterol) who have no risk factors for cardiovascular disease and whose value is greater than 190 mg/dL should consider medical treatment if dietary changes haven’t worked.

Patients with LDL levels above 160 mg/dL who have a family history of cardiovascular disease or other risk factors, such as obesity, hypertension, or smoking, should receive medical care.

Diabetes patients who have an LDL level of more than 130 mg/dL should receive medical care.

How is childhood high cholesterol treated?

A family-wide diet and activity programme is the most effective strategy to lower a child’s cholesterol. For kids older than eight, medication may be use if dietary and exercise modifications do not produce the desire results. Cholestyramine, cholesterol, and colesevelam are a few medications use to lower fats in young patients.

The safe use of medications in the statin class has been validate by recent trials in kids with very high cholesterol. Following dietary adjustments and/or medication use for three months, a child’s cholesterol levels should be retested.

Conclusion

Children aged two and older should currently maintain a healthy diet by the most recent Dietary Guidelines for Americans, according to the American Academy of Paediatrics. Dairy products with low fat should be included. Reducing the fat content of milk is advise for infants and young children between the ages of one and two who are overweight or obese or who have a family history of cardiovascular disease, high cholesterol, or obesity.