Author Interviews, JAMA, Lipids / 16.08.2016
Not Enough Evidence To Recommend For or Against Cholesterol Screening In Children and Teens
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Dr. David Grossman M.D., M.P.H.
Vice chair of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force and
Professor at the University of Washington Schools of Public Health and Medicine
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this recommendation?
Response: The Task Force recognizes the importance of cardiovascular health for young people. Children and adolescents with high cholesterol are more likely to become adults with high cholesterol, and high cholesterol in adulthood can lead to serious health outcomes such as heart attacks and strokes. However, when the Task Force reviewed evidence for cholesterol screening in children and adolescents without any signs or symptoms, we found that there is not enough evidence to recommend for or against screening. In the face of unclear evidence, the Task Force is calling on the research community to prioritize studies on screening and treatment of lipid disorders in children and teens to help us all learn more about the impact that screening at an early age may have on the cardiovascular health of adults.
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