PEDIATRICS Vol. 59 No. 3 March 1977, pp. 433-441
This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow P3Rs: Submit a response
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me when P3Rs are posted
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow E-mail this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Add to My File Cabinet
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow reprints & permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via CrossRef
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Glueck, C. J.
Right arrow Articles by Mellies, M.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Glueck, C. J.
Right arrow Articles by Mellies, M.

Therapy of Familial Hypercholesterolemia in Childhood: Diet and Cholestyramine Resin for 24 to 36 Months

C. J. Glueck M.D.1, R. C. Tsang M.D.1, R. W. Fallat M.D.1, and M. Mellies M.D.1

1 General Clinical Research Center and Lipoprotein Research Division and Fels Division of Pediatric Research, University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio

In 16 children heterozygous for familial hypercholesterolemia, two- to three-year therapy with diet and cholestyramine resin (16 gm/day) was assessed in terms of effectiveness, practicality, and safety. All 16 children had previously taken a low-cholesterol (< 300 mg/day), polyunsaturate-rich (P/S ratio, 1.5:1) diet and cholestyramine resin (12 gm/day) for 12 months. In this study, the cholestyramine resin dose was increased to 16 gm/day, and follow-up was maintained through months 13 through 18, 19 through 24, 25 through 30, and 31 through 36. Eleven children had good drug adherence (four packs of cholestyramine per day) and five children had fair adherence (two to three packs per day). Plasma total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels were not significantly lowered on the drug-plus-diet regimen as compared to diet alone in five children with fair drug adherence. For children with good drug adherence. mean plasma cholesterol level was lowered below levels achieved on diet alone by 13% (months 13 through 18), 12% (months 19 through 24), 12% (months 25 through 30), and 11% (months 31 through 36) (P < .05). Reduction in plasma cholesterol level was no greater with 16 than with 12 gm of cholestyramine per day. There were no group changes in mean plasma triglyceride levels. Cholestyramine resin, when added to diet and maintained for two to three years, effects a significant reduction in total and LDL cholesterol levels in about 60% of children heterozygous for familial hypercholesterolemia. Continued reinforcelnent of both diet and drug adherence is necessary in the face of gradual increments in plasma cholesterol level with time.

Submitted on April 26, 1976
Accepted on June 29, 1976




This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 PediatricsHome page
E. M. Haney, L. H. Huffman, C. Bougatsos, M. Freeman, R. D. Steiner, and H. D. Nelson
Screening and Treatment for Lipid Disorders in Children and Adolescents: Systematic Evidence Review for the US Preventive Services Task Force
Pediatrics, July 1, 2007; 120(1): e189 - e214.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]