The current state of dyslipidemia in Korean children and adolescents and its management in clinical practice

Abstract

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of death worldwide including Korea. The risk factors of CVD are known as positive family history of early CVD, obesity, hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia. Among those, dyslipidemia is one of modifiable risk factors. Dyslipidemia starts in childhood and progress to adulthood. Furthermore, dyslipidemia cause atherosclerosis and is closely related to other CVD risks. On the rationale that early identification and control of pediatric dyslipidemia will reduce the risk and severity of CVD in adulthood, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute guidelines expanded to universal screening for lipid levels. However, there was no guideline for lipid screening and management in Korean children and adolescents yet. This review deals with the rationale of early identification and control of pediatric dyslipidemia along with the current Korean status of pediatric dyslipidemia. This review also deals with how to screen, diagnosis, and treatment of pediatric dyslipidemia.

Introduction

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of death worldwide in adults including Korea1,2). The prevalence of CVD in Korea was much lower than that in western countries. However, the CVD mortality rate increased and comparable to that in the USA recently2). Now, the risk of CVD in Koreans, predicted using the Framingham model, was similar to that in the United States (US) population3).

Dyslipidemia, abnormal amount of lipids in the blood such as hypercholesterolemia, begins in childhood and adolescence, and contributes to early atherosclerosis and to premature CVD even in young adult4-8). Furthermore, dyslipidemia has been found to be closely related to other cardiovascular risk factors, such as hypertension, obesity, and smoking status, not only in adults but also in children and adolescents9,10). Thus, the US expended the lipid screening in children and adolescents based on the rationale that early identification and control of pediatric dyslipidemia will reduce the risk and severity of CVD in adulthood. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) 2011 guidelines expanded to universal screening for lipid levels in children at 9 to 11 years of age and again at 17 to 21 years of age4). However, there was no guideline for lipid screening and management in Korean children and adolescents yet.

The objectives of this review were as follows: (1) to explain the rationale that early identification and control of pediatric dyslipidemia might reduce the risk and severity of CVD in adulthood; (2) to show the prevalence of dyslipidemia in Korean children and adolescents; (3) to suggest pediatrician how to screening and management of dyslipidemia in clinical practice based on the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), American Heart Association (AHA), National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP), and NHLBI guidelines4-8).

Rationale of control of pediatric dyslipidemia

Pediatric dyslipidemia is associated with atherosclerosis in adults. The evidence came from autopsy studies. In both the Pathobiological Determinants of Atherosclerosis in Youth (PDAY) study and the Bogalusa Heart Study, autopsy findings including children and young adults demonstrated an increase in atherosclerotic lesions in the coronary artery with increasing total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and decreasing high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C)10,11). Atherosclerosis is responsible for CVD, such as myocardial infarction and stroke, by obstructing the arterial lumen or thrombotic emboli. In the PDAY study, atherosclerotic plaque was associated with the elevation of TC10). In the Bogalusa Heart Study, the extent of atherosclerotic lesions increased with age and the prevalence was almost 70% in young adulthood11). In addition, indirect markers of atherosclerosis, such as endothelial dysfunction assessed by flow-mediated dilation in the brachial artery and increased carotid intimamedia thickness, are associated with pediatric dyslipidemia12,13). Furthermore, pediatric dyslipidemia track to adulthood4,14). Approximately half of the children with dyslipidemia will continue to have dyslipidemia in adulthood.

Current state of serum lipid concentrations of Korean children and adolescents

The serum lipid concentrations of Korean children and adolescents are similar to those of white counterpart. In US, normal pediatric values for serum lipids are derived from population-based data from the Lipid Research Clinical Prevalence Study, and from the United States National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES)15,16). In Korea, normal pediatric values for serum lipids concentration such as TC, LDL-C, TG, HDL-C are derived also from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (KNHANES-IV)17). The Korean references from KNHANES-IV are comparable with those of US as the measurement of each serum lipid followed the C37-A guideline of the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute and compared with for Disease Control and Prevention's Lipid Reference Laboratory.

The mean and 50th percentiles of TC and LDL-C concentrations were similar between Koreans and white individuals from the US, but the 95th percentile values for Koreans were less than those obtained for white individuals from the US. The 50th, 75th, 90th, and 95th percentiles for LDL-C were 87, 104, 119, and 127 mg/dL, respectively, for Korean boys and 90, 106, 121, and 132 mg/dL, respectively, for girls. The corresponding numbers for white boys were 85, 103, 124, and 136 mg/dL, and those for girls were 88, 104, 122, and 133 mg/dL, respectively18). The TG profile showed a similar pattern. The 50th and 95th percentiles for TG concentrations were 73 and 189 mg/dL for Korean boys and 80 and 181 mg/dL for girls. The 50th and 95th percentiles for white boys were 76 and 205 mg/dL, respectively and for white girls were 80 and 218 mg/dL16). However, Korean showed low level of HDL-C. The 5th and 50th percentiles for HDL-C concentrations were 35 and 48 mg/dL for Korean boys and 37 and 50 mg/dL for girls. In comparison, 37 and 53 mg/dL for white boys and 36 and 54 mg/dL for white girls16).

Prevalence of pediatric dyslipidemia in Korean children and adolescents

As there was cutoff points of pediatric dyslipidemia in Korean children and adolescents, Yang et al.17) adopted US guidelines. According to the cutoff points of the NCEP and AHA guidelines, 19.7% of Korean children and adolescents, aged 10 to 18 years, had at least one abnormal lipid concentration. The estimated prevalence of hypercholesterolemia was 6.5%. The prevalence of high LDL-C was 4.7%. The prevalence of high TG (>150 mg/dL) and low HDL-C (<35 mg/dL) was 10.1% and 7.1%, respectively. If defined low HDL-C as <40 mg/dL, the prevalence of low HDL-C was 14.5%. The prevalence of hypercholesterolemia and high LDL-C was greater in girls than in boys (7.4% vs. 5.8% and 5.5% vs. 4.1%) but lower low HDL-C prevalence (5.5% vs. 8.5%). However, boys showed increased prevalence of dyslipidemia with aging while girls did not. The prevalence of dyslipidemia was higher with greater body mass index (BMI). The prevalence dyslipidemia increased from 20.7% to 39.6% to 56.1% for boys (24.5% to 36.6% to 53.1% for girls) who were normal weight, overweight, and obese, respectively19). In USA data from NHANES (1996 to 2006) also showed, the prevalence dyslipidemia increased according to weight status (14.2%, 22.3%, and 42.9% respectively)20). The prevalence of dyslipidemia in Korean including children and adolescents had been increased. In adults (aged ≥20 years), the prevalence of dyslipidemia increased from 32.4% in 1998 to 44.1% in 2005. Compared with the KNHANES in 1998, the prevalence of dyslipidemia was 61% higher in 20053). In Korean children and adolescents, the mean LDL-C concentration of increased from 89.3±0.8 to 96.5±1.2 mg/dL during 1998 to 2001. Furthermore, the prevalence of high TG (>110 mg/dL) and low HDL-C (<40 mg/dL) increased by 6.2% and 10.5%21). The other problem is only 9.5% of people with dyslipidemia were aware of the disease, 5.2% used lipid-lowering medication even in adults. In comparison, the prevalence of pediatric dyslipidemia in the US children and adolescents was decreased. The data from the NHANES showed improving mean lipid levels and rates of dyslipidemia from 1988-1994 to 2007-2010 in US22). Mean TC declined from 165 to 160 mg/dL and the prevalence of elevated TC (≥200 mg/dL) decreased from 11.3% to 8.1%. Mean LDL-C levels in adolescents decreased from 95 to 90 mg/dL and the prevalence of elevated LDL-C (≥130 mg/dL) decreased from 11.9% to 7.4%. Mean TG also decreased from 82 to 73 mg/dL and the prevalence of elevated TG (≥130 mg/dL) decreased from 17.3% to 12.4%.

Definition of pediatric dyslipidemia

It is well known that the lipid concentration differ according to age, sexual, and ethnicity. Thus, Korean specific guidelines, including pediatric dyslipidemia cutoff points, should be made. Until then, I suggest Korean pediatrician to apply US guidelines with some modification in screening and management of Korean pediatric dyslipidemia in clinical practice. In US, NHLBI expert panel revised cutoff points in 2011, initially developed by the NCEP and the AAP based on population distributions4). These cutoff points are based on the US normative data and delineate lipid values as acceptable, borderline, and abnormal (Table 1). The cutoff points of TC and LDL-C of the NHLBI, the NCEP and the AAP are same. However, discrepancies exist on the cutoff points of TG and HDL-C according to organizations. The AHA has recommended that TG of >150 mg/dL and HDL-C of <35 mg/dL be considered abnormal for children and adolescents8). The International Diabetes Federal recommended that TG of ≥150 mg/dL and HDL-C of <40 mg/dL (<50 mg/dL in case female over 16 years) be considered abnormal for children and adolescents23).

Table 1.

Cutoff point for lipid concentrations in children and adolescents

TC, total cholesterol; LDL-C, low density lipoprotein cholesterol; HDL-C, high density lipoprotein cholesterol.

Adapted from National Cholesterol Education Program guidelines and National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute 2011 guidelines for children and adolescents7).

^a)Percentile value of each abnormal serum lipid concentration based on Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys data.

Considering KNHANES-IV finding, adopt the cutoff points of TC (>200 mg/dL) and LDL-C (>130 mg/dL), which correspond 95th percentile of Korean children and adolescents, as abnormal is no problem. In TG, I suggest the cutoff points of ≥150 mg/dL, which correspond 90th percentile of Korean children and adolescents, as abnormal. However, increasing evidence suggests that TG concentration relates CVD risk especially in Asian including Korean24,25). In HDL-C, the cutoff points of <40 mg/dL, which correspond 10th percentile of Korean children and adolescents, as abnormal without gender difference. Further evidences are needed to set the cutoff points of TG and HDL-C in Korean children and adolescents.

Lipid screening

Screening for lipids in children is based on the rationale that early identification and control of pediatric dyslipidemia will reduce the risk and severity of CVD in adulthood4). The AAP, NCEP and AHA Expert Panel have recommended 'selective screening' of children and adolescents with high risk of CVD4-8). The 2011 NHLBI guidelines added 'universal screening' based on the following reasons4). Lipid disorders are clinically silent in the vast majority of cases. Abnormal LDL-C levels in children with positive family history were similar to those found in children without concerning family history26). Many children with familiar hypercholesterolemia (FH) may also be missed by selective screening, especially if their parents are young, free of CVD, and unaware of their own lipid levels. Selective screening based on family history of CVD or hypercholesterolemia will fail to detect substantial numbers (from 17% to 90%) of children who have elevated lipid levels27). Thus, universal screening might be performed to detect those with undiagnosed heterozygous FH, who will require more intensive treatment, including the possibility of pharmacological therapy4,28).

In selective screening, children over 2 years of age, with a 1st or 2nd degree relative (parents, grand-parents, uncles, and ants) with documented CVD before age 55 in men and 65 in women, should undergo a fasting lipid profile. Fasting lipid profiles such as TC, TG, and HDL-C should be measured by well-standardized immunochemical methods. LDL-C is calculated from the Friedewald equation: LDL-C=TC-HDL-C+TG/5). If TG is more than 400 mg/dL, this formula cannot be used. The use of a direct LDL-C measurement is not recommended29). Non-HDL-C is calculated as; Non-HDL-C=TC-HDL-C. Non-HDL cholesterol includes all cholesterol present in lipoprotein particles (LDL-C, lipoprotein(a), intermediate-density lipoprotein, and very-low-density lipoprotein) that are considered atherogenic. Non-HDL is a better independent predictor of CVD than LDL-C and is good predictor of future dyslipidemia in adulthood as LDL-C30). CVD is defined as any of angina pectoris, peripheral or cerebral vascular disease, myocardial infarction, documented coronary artery disease or sudden death. A positive family history of premature coronary artery disease doubles the risk of CVD in children including Korean10,31). Children with known disease associated with increased risk for CVD also should be screened for dyslipidemia. The following conditions associated with risk of CVD: FH, parents with TC >240 mg/dL, excessive exposure to smoking, type 1 and 2 diabetes mellitus, nephrotic syndrome, chronic renal disease, hypertension, history of Kawasaki disease or childhood cancer, some forms of congenital heart disease, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, overweight (age>8 years), and obesity4-8,32). In overweight Korean children and adolescents (4th grade elementary, 1st grade middle, and 1st grade high school student), the 'revised a school health measure 2006' reinforce routine TC screening. If TC ≥200 mg/dL or repeated mean is ≥170 mg/dL, fasting lipid screening is recommended by law33).

In universal screening, first screening performed between 9 and 11 years of age. Second screening performed between 17 and 21 years of age. The serum lipid concentration especially LDL-C decreases during puberty and growth4). For universal screening, nonfasting TC and HDL-C can be measured accurately and more practical screening test for pediatric patients than a fasting profile. In an analysis from the Bogalusa study, non-HDL-C was at least as good a predictor as other lipid tests for increased carotid intima-media thickness and were predictive of adult dyslipidemia independent of baseline BMI and BMI changes34).

If the screening test is abnormal, fasting lipid profiles should be measured at least twice at intervals between two weeks and three months with counseling lifestyle modification4). The average values are used to determine the need for therapeutic interventions. If the dyslipidemia persists, secondary causes of dyslipidemia must be ruled out32).

How to manage pediatric dyslipidemia

Diagnostic and management algorithm for pediatric dyslipidemia is depicted in Fig. 1. Current guidelines strongly advocate dietary treatment and lifestyle changes as the primary therapeutic method. If these fail to correct dyslipidemia sufficiently, then pharmacologic treatment should be considered.

Fig. 1.

Diagnostic and therapeutic algorithm for children and adolescents with elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and triglycerides (TG). TC, total cholesterol; FHx, family history; RFs, risk factors; FLP, fasting lipid profile; DM, diabetes mellitus; ALT, alanine aminotransferase; AST, aspartate aminotransferase; CVD, cardiovascular disease.

The primary target of most guidelines is LDL-C. The NHLBI guidelines added TG as additional target. In NHLBI guidelines, Cardiovascular Health Integrated Lifestyle Diet (CHILD), this is expended diet with modification of step diet. If LDL-C concentration is borderline (110 to 129 mg/dL), a step I diet and life style change are recommended and get a repeat test at 1 year. If LDL-C concentration is abnormal (≥130 mg/dL), the step I diet and life style change are recommended and get a repeat test at 3 months. If persist, recommend a step II diet, additional fiber, and plant sterols, with or without lipid lowering medications. The initiation of lipid-lowering medication will depend on LDL levels, presence of other CVD risk factors, and family history of premature CVD. In case of hypertriglyceridemia (≥130 mg/dL), life style modification with or without omega-3 fatty acids are recommended. In case of very high triglyceride levels (> 500 mg/dL) with risk of acute pancreatitis, consider statins or fibrates4,35).

Dietary treatment

The NCEP pediatric panel recommended diet treatment after 2 years of age7). Recent data indicate that a diet may be instituted safely and effectively at 6 months of age under medical supervision4-6). Children and adolescents with dyslipidemia are first treated with a diet reduced in total fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol4-8). The AHA step I diet is usually started and the lipoprotein profile repeated in 6 to 8 weeks. If the dyslipidemia persists, then a more stringent step II diet is initiated36). The step I diet consist of a diet with <10% calories from saturated fat, 30% calories from fat, and <300 mg/day from cholesterol. The CHILD-1, recommended recently by NHLBI, is more specific; Primary beverage is fat-free unflavored milk, limit/avoid sugar-sweetened beverages, encourage water, fat content (total fat 25% to 30% of daily kcal/EER [estimated energy requirements per day for age/gender], saturated fat 8% to 10% of daily kcal/EER, avoid trans fat as much as possible, recommend monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fat up to 20% of daily kcal/EER), and recommend <300 mg/day from cholesterol. In addition, recommend supportive actions such as teach portions based on EER, encourage moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, advocate dietary fiber (14 g/1,000 kcal), limit naturally sweetened juice (no added sugar) to 120 mL/day, limit sodium intake, and encourage healthy eating habits4). The step II diet is more stringent diet plan with <10% calories from saturated fat and <200 mg/day from cholesterol. The CHILD-2 is more specific. The CHILD-2 is divided CHILD-2-LDL and CHILD-2-TG depends on the target of dyslipidemia. The main things are refer children and adolescents to a registered dietitian for family medical nutrition therapy, decrease sugar intake. The CHILD-2 recommended 25% to 30% of calories from fat, <7% from saturated fat, ≈10% from monounsaturated fat, <200 mg/day of cholesterol, and avoid trans-fats. Recommended supportive actions are differ CHILD-2-LDL and CHILD-2-TG.

Dietary supplements might help to control dyslipidemia but are not encouraged as monotherapy. Plant sterols and stanols, the plant versions of cholesterol and known to help block the absorption of dietary cholesterol into the body, can be used in children with monitoring for effects on absorption of fat-soluble vitamins37). The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved health claims on plant sterols as a supplement and food additive. Plant sterols are effective in lowering TC and LDL-C by 10-15% in adults6,37). The FDA has declared that the consumption of soluble fiber may reduce the risk of heart disease. Fiber binds with cholesterol in bile acids and removes it from the enterohepatic circulation. An appropriate dose is calculated as the child's age plus 5 g/day, up to a dose of 20 g/day at 15 years of age36). Soy protein lowers VLDL-C and TG but not LDL-C and increases HDL-C38) omega-3 fatty acids (docosahexaenoic acid 1.2 g/day) did not lower LDL-C but significantly decreased the smallest LDL-C subclass to 48%39).

Lifestyle changes

Increasing dyslipidemia in Korean children and adolescents might be due to recent changes promoting a western lifestyle, especially westernized diet and decrease in physical activity40,41). Thus, children and adolescents should be encouraged to indulge in 60 minutes or more of vigorous play or aerobic activity per day as recommended4). Sedentary time including television, internet and videogames time should be reduced as possible. Cigarette exposure also should be actively discouraged.

Pharmacologic treatment

Pharmacological treatment is recommended in children ≥10 years with poor response to diet and lifestyle therapy at least 6 to 12 months. The choice of pharmacological is depends on the lipid profile, age, gender, family history of the patient, and pediatricians' experience4,42). Recent guidelines focus on lowering the LDL-C and TG in high-risk children and adolescents below cutoff levels4-8). Pharmacological treatment to lower LDL-C is initiated (1) if LDL-C is more than 190 mg/dL or (2) more than 160 mg/dL and there is a family history of premature CVD or two or more risk factors for CVD such as hypertension, obesity, or smoking. In NHLBI guidelines, the risk factors are divided as high-level risk factors and moderate-level risk factors.

According to the AAP guidelines, at least 0.41% of Korean children and adolescents are eligible for pharmacological treatment17). The statins and the bile acid-binding resins are the two main classes of medications currently used. Bile acidbinding resins were the only class of medications recommended by NCEP for pharmacological lipid-lowering therapy because of their long track record of safety. Most statins are approved as an adjunct to diet to lower LDL-C aged 10 to 18 years by FDA and recommended as 1st line of therapy by NHLBI. The commonly used medications are listed in Table 2. Cholesterol-absorption inhibitors, niacin, and fibrates are not approved currently by FDA and used.

Table 2.

Currently using medications for dyslipidemia

HMG-Co A, hydroxymethylglutaryl coenzyme A; VLDL, very low-density lipoprotein; LDL-C, low density lipoprotein cholesterol; TG, triglycerides; HDL-C, high density lipoprotein cholesterol; TC; total cholesterol.

3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-Co A) reductase inhibitors (statins)

Statins inhibit the rate-limiting enzyme HMG-Co A reductase for endogenous synthesis of cholesterol. Statins are the drug of choice for high LDL-C in adults, and are becoming popular in children. Evidence regarding the safety and efficacy of statins in children and adolescents over a period of 24 months is available and its safety and efficacy is similar to adults43-45). In general, they are effective in lowering cholesterol of 20% to 50% below baseline. Statins showed minimal side effects, without affecting growth, maturation. Atorvastatin and simvastatin are approved in boys ≥10 years of age. In children with high LDL-C and strong risk factors, encourage the use of statins prior to age 10. Starts low dose (atorvastatin 10 mg and simvastatin 20 mg/day) and gradual upward titration with monitoring LDL-C and side effects. Liver function tests and creatine kinase check-up are recommended every 3 to 4 months in children. Grapefruit juice, cyclosporine, and erythromycin have possible pharmacological interactions with statins.

Bile acid-binding resins (cholestyramine and colestipol)

Bile acid-binding resins are the first line therapy for children with dyslipidemia as it does no systemically absorbed46). It work by preventing cholesterol reuptake in enterohepatic circulation and 10% to 20% below baseline cholesterol and it upregulates LDL receptors. However, cholestyramine and colestipol are unpalatable and associated with gastro intestinal side effects. Thus, compliance to this therapy is very poor.

Cholesterol-absorption inhibitors (ezetimibe)

Ezetimibe enters the enterohepatic circulation and reduces bile acid reuptake as well as absorption of cholesterol. Ezetimibe is approved in children above 10 years of age, in a dose of 10 mg/day, as an adjuvant to statin therapy. In adults, ezetimibe has been shown to reduce LDL-C by 20%47). Although, attractive pharmacological for use in the young age, studies are very few.

Niacin and fibrates

Because of severe adverse effects, these pharmacologicals are not recommended for routine use. These pharmacologicals are used in combination by lipid specialist with special occasion. Niacin is the most potent HDL-C enhancer and recommended only as adjunctive therapy in children4,42). In children, flushing occurred in 76% and elevation of hepatic transaminase occurred in 26%. Fibrates (fenofibrate and bezafibrate) are used in children with very high triglyceride levels (>500 mg/dL) to prevent pancreatitis35). However, elevation of liver enzymes, gastrointestinal symptoms, and predisposition to cholelithiasis can occur. In combination with statins predisposes children to rhabdomyolysis.

Conclusions

This review has tried to address the rationale of screening and management of dyslipidemia in children and adolescents. Dyslipidemia begins in childhood and adolescence, progress to adulthood, and cause to CVD in adulthood. The prevalence of dyslipidemia has increased and reached up to 44.1% in Korean adult. The current prevalence of dyslipidemia is 19.7% in Korean children and adolescents, the most common disorder. However, most Korean people including pediatricians are not aware of the importance of managing dyslipidemia. Pediatricians should aware that dyslipidemia is easily modifiable risk factor of CVD and early screening and management of pediatric dyslipidemia will reduce the future risk and severity of CVD in adulthood. As Korean studies on pediatric dyslipidemia are scarce, this review has cited many parts of US studies. Further studies are required especially the effectiveness and safety of pharmacological managements on Korean children and adolescents.