Topic Overview

A child may have a higher chance of having high cholesterol if he or she:

• Is overweight.
• Does not exercise much.
• Does not eat healthy foods.
• Has a family history of high cholesterol.

Cholesterol tests for children and teens

You can ask your child's doctor if your child should have a cholesterol test. There are different recommendations that doctors may follow.

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force does not recommend for or against routine cholesterol screening for children.¹ The American Heart Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) suggest that children and teens have their cholesterol levels checked if they have a family history of early coronary artery disease or have other risk factors.^{2, 3}

The AAP suggests these follow-up visits and cholesterol tests:

• Check risk of high cholesterol with physical exam and family history by your doctor at ages 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10, and then every year through age 21.
• Have a cholesterol screening test between the ages of 18 and 21.

Cholesterol levels for children and teens

For children and teens 2 to 19 years old:³

The goal numbers for HDL (good) cholesterol and triglycerides can depend on your child's age and gender. But in general:

• HDL (good) cholesterol should be higher than 35 mg/dL.
• Triglyceride levels should be below 150 mg/dL.

Treatment for high cholesterol in children and adolescents

Treatment for high cholesterol typically includes changes in diet and increased physical activity. Work with your doctor or a dietitian to make diet changes so that your child can get proper nutrition while trying to lower cholesterol.

Less commonly, medicines, such as a statin, may be used to help lower cholesterol levels.

If you have concerns about your child's cholesterol, talk with your doctor.