[Diet in familial hypercholesterolemia type IIa. Grenoble survey 1983-1988]

In 19 children with familial hypercholesterolemia type IIa measures to reduce the amount of saturated fat and cholesterol in the diet lead to a mean decrease of cholesterolemia of 15%, thus confirming the favorable effect of the diet previously reported in the literature. However, there were large variations in the efficacy of the diet from no effect up to a 30% decrease. "Non-responders", in whom the diet was not effective, require treatment with drugs. The diet must be individualised and should involve the whole family. Children must be followed in order to encourage compliance to the dietetic measures and to detect eventual side effects. Furthermore, the dietetic measures must be associated with steps to control the other risk factors of arteriosclerosis.