Dad, can I take your Lipitor? Association says yes to children 8 and older
10:07 a.m. Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Report after report has pointed to the obesity crisis facing children across America. One-third of American children are overweight, and 17 percent are obese.
Obesity as well as other risk factors have caused high cholesterol problems for many kids. Now, for the first time, an influential physician's group is suggesting that kids as young as 8 years old be prescribed cholesterol fighting drugs.
The American Academy of Pediatrics suggested that some children, even those who are still in grade school, could benefit from cholesterol lowering drugs.
"They are more at risk than they ever have been. There are many problems with the diets they are consuming. We need to help these children," Children's National Medical Center Dr. Sarah Clauss said.
Related links
American Academy of Pediatrics Obesity Web site
Children's Hospital at Montefiore
But not all physicians believe resorting to medication for young children is the best course of action.
"Statins should be used in children only when it's absolutely necessary. Medications of any type have risks especially in children who are growing and developing," Children's Hospital at Montefiore Dr. Daphne Hsu said.
For parents, it's often an agonizing decision to allow their children to be put on such drugs.
16-year-old Connor Kroll has been taking the drug Lipitor for the last four years.
"I'm not crazy about medications, but nothing else worked. He tried a very strict diet and that was just not enough," Connor's mother, Audrey, said.
But while the Krolls have learned to accept resorting to medication to deal with high cholesterol, for other parents, it's an unthinkable option.
While it may seem too much too soon for some parents, for others dealing with the possible onslaught of heart disease, it couldn't be soon enough.
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