"This test should be done once for every child in the 9- to 11-year age range. The universal approach to screening will identify children with a genetic cause for their high cholesterol (1 in 500 children) and children with cholesterol abnormalities based more on lifestyle," said Dr. Daniels. "Both groups will benefit from lifestyle intervention, which can be useful in lowering their lifetime risk of cardiovascular disease."
Dr. Daniels has served as a consultant for Abbott Laboratories, Merck, and Schering-Plough, and has received funding/grant support for research from the National Institutes of Health. Other members of the committee that reviewed the guidelines disclosed research support from various agencies and pharmaceutical companies.