ANOTHER UNREASONABLE GUIDELINE. CHOLESTEROL SCREENING FOR CHILDREN AGE 9 years

The American Heart Association Annual Scientific meeting is currently on-going in Orlando, Florida. At this meeting, "the Expert Panel on Integrated Guidelines for Cardiovascular Health and Risk Reduction in Children and Adolescents", appointed by the National Health, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) and endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is recommending that all children undergo routine lipid screening regardless of their backgroud, or family history. Those age 9-11 years, a test for non fasting lipids, and a follow-up at age 18-21 years with a full lipid profile. They also recommends screening for diabetes in those overweight and with family history. This second recommendation is more reasonable.
I think that the first recommendation is ridiculous. Where is the evidence that such screening will help?. The level of evidence here is level B, not conclusive by any means. There is no data that should they be high, they will suffer a heart attack in the next 5-10 years. Where is the evidence? What do you do, if the child's cholesterol level is raised? Give them a statin at age 10 years? Isn't that ridiculous? Only the pharmas will be happy. More sales. The poor adolescent will lose their childhood, doing the "I can't do these, I cant do that, I cant eat this, and I cant eat that" recommendation, and on flimsy evidence.
No wonder the cost of healthcare is so high that it is impacting their budget deficit, and making America bankrupt.
Looks like the first day of AHA is full of anti-thrombins and more hematology than cardiology.
More from the AHA later.