Cholesterol Screening For Children

Many children with high cholesterol have no symptoms, so screening may be recommended even when they appear healthy.

The  pediatric guidance generally recommends cholesterol screening for all children once between ages 9 and 11 and again between ages 17 and 21. Earlier or more frequent testing may be appropriate for children with certain risk factors, including a family history of very high cholesterol or premature cardiovascular disease. Recommendations can vary by organization and clinical circumstances.

A pediatrician can advise whether a screening test is needed and whether a fasting lipid profile should be obtained.

Image credit: Pediatrician examining child. AI-generated image created with Google Gemini, October 14, 2026