GP FAQ Familial Hypercholesterolaemia
Familial Hypercholesterolaemia can be diagnosed using the Simon Broome criteria – see box one in this link: http://ep.bmj.com/content/94/3/84.full - Hypercholesterolaemia in children, guidelines review by JH Baumer and JPH Shield.
Confirmation can also be made with genetic testing and this is usually done in the secondary care setting.
Both Up to Date and a BMJ review article (link below) advise that drug therapy should be considered around the age of 10 years. The decision of when to start medication is somewhat subjective and you should consider age, cholesterol levels and the significance of the family history of cardiac events. The BNFc states that simvastatin is licenced for use in children from the age of 5.
More information and references:
Buamer JH, Shield JPH. Hypercholesterolaemia in children: a guidelines review https://ep.bmj.com/content/94/3/84.full
De Ferranti et al. Dyslipidaemia in Children: Management https://www.uptodate.com/contents/dyslipidemia-in-children-management?topicRef=16972&source=see_link
