The New York Times reports that a new study out of the UK suggests that the earlier the better when it comes to cholesterol testing – and that means even testing children before they are out of diapers.
But interestingly, the early testing wouldn’t mean treating high cholesterol in children – though certainly a positive test might lead to specific dietary choices for children. Rather, the British researchers who wrote the study say that because high cholesterol is genetic, a positive test for a child would help doctors to know to screen the parents – who then could be treated if their cholesterol is above normal levels.
But interestingly, the early testing wouldn’t mean treating high cholesterol in children – though certainly a positive test might lead to specific dietary choices for children. Rather, the British researchers who wrote the study say that because high cholesterol is genetic, a positive test for a child would help doctors to know to screen the parents – who then could be treated if their cholesterol is above normal levels.
- KC's View:
- Because I’m a cynic, I checked to see if the study was underwritten by the makers of Lipitor. But I couldn’t find any.
