The safety and efficacy of statin therapy in the pediatric population

New guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics now recommend the consideration of statin therapy as a first-line pharmacological measure in children as young as 8 years old with marked hypercholesterolemia. Thus, it is important to review both the safety and efficacy of initiating statin therapy prior to adulthood. Statins interfere with cholesterol synthesis, thereby lowering serum cholesterol levels. However, there are special considerations that need to be made when initiating medications such as statins in the pediatric population. Cholesterol is crucial for various biologic processes including neurological development. Cholesterol also serves as a biochemical precursor to many hormones including those critical in sexual development. This article examines the current evidence for the safety and efficacy of statin use in the pediatric population and identifies areas for future research.