Optimizing Treatment of Familial Hypercholesterolemia in Children and Adolescents.
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is still the most prominent cause of death and morbidity in the world, and one of the major risk factors for developing CVD is hypercholesterolemia. Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a dominantly inherited disorder characterized by markedly elevated plasma low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and premature coronary heart disease. Currently, several treatment options are available for children with FH. Lifestyle adjustments are the first step in treatment. If this is not sufficient, statins are the preferred initial pharmacological therapy and they have been proven effective and safe. However, treatment goals are often not achieved and, hence, there is a need for novel treatment options. Currently, several options are being studied in adults and first results are promising. However, studies in children are still to be awaited.
Department of Pediatrics, Emma Children's Hospital, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, i.k.luirink@amc.uva.nl.
Ilse K
IK
Luirink
Barbara A
BA
Hutten
Albert
A
Wiegman
D000293:Adolescent; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000235:genetics / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000235:genetics*; D005820:Genetic Testing / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000235:genetics / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008487:Medical History Taking / Q000379:methods*; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D010641:Phenotype; D012307:Risk Factors; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior
D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors