The findings add to an ongoing debate over the importance of high cholesterol in children, and whether cholesterol-lowering drugs are appropriate when changes in diet and physical activity don't work. Such drugs, including statins, are used in adults to reduce the risk of heart disease, but it isn't clear if they also work for youngsters.
The new study, published in the journal Pediatrics, shows that after a few years, some youngsters with high cholesterol would no longer be considered for drug treatment, according to guidelines.
The researchers caution that doctors should get cholesterol multiple readings over several months before choosing to take children off medication.
