Risk factors of CHD in children--a retrospective view of the Westland study

Routine medical examinations have been carried out in children for many years, but more recently paediatricians have broadened their outlook to consider not only the health of the child until the age of 14 or 16 years but also his future health as an adult. Screening for risk factors for coronary heart disease (CHD) in children raises problems of normal values by sex and age, especially for serum cholesterol and blood pressure. The results of a study of CHD risk factors in school children in Westland, Holland, are described. Although further information is needed it is concluded that in future paediatricians should accept a greater responsibility for preventive cardiology.