TY - JOUR
T1 - The use of statins in pediatrics
T2 - Knowledge base, limitations, and future directions
AU - Belay, Brook
AU - Belamarich, Peter F.
AU - Tom-Revzon, Catherine
PY - 2007/2
Y1 - 2007/2
N2 - The 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors, or statins, effectively reduce coronary morbidity and mortality in high-risk adults. They are also some of the most widely prescribed medications in the United States. Their use in pediatrics, however, remains circumscribed. In this article we review the cholesterol hypothesis and focus on the knowledge base of the use of statins in adults and children. We pay particular attention to the known effects of statins in primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular events. The toxicities of statins and their limitations in pediatrics are then considered. The use of statins in conjunction with noninvasive modalities of assessing atherosclerotic burden are also reviewed. Finally, we suggest methods to advance the use of statins in childhood that introduce their potential benefits to those individuals at highest risk for future events.
AB - The 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors, or statins, effectively reduce coronary morbidity and mortality in high-risk adults. They are also some of the most widely prescribed medications in the United States. Their use in pediatrics, however, remains circumscribed. In this article we review the cholesterol hypothesis and focus on the knowledge base of the use of statins in adults and children. We pay particular attention to the known effects of statins in primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular events. The toxicities of statins and their limitations in pediatrics are then considered. The use of statins in conjunction with noninvasive modalities of assessing atherosclerotic burden are also reviewed. Finally, we suggest methods to advance the use of statins in childhood that introduce their potential benefits to those individuals at highest risk for future events.
KW - Indications
KW - Limitations
KW - Pediatrics
KW - Statins
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=33947096865&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=33947096865&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1542/peds.2006-0787
DO - 10.1542/peds.2006-0787
M3 - Review article
C2 - 17272627
AN - SCOPUS:33947096865
SN - 0031-4005
VL - 119
SP - 370
EP - 380
JO - Pediatrics
JF - Pediatrics
IS - 2
ER -