Dyslipidemia in youth: Epidemiology, pathophysiology, screening, management, and treatment: A review of the literature

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is one of the major causes of death all over the world. Atherosclerosis is developed by atherogenic lipoproteins and inflammation. Thus, dyslipidemia (DLP) is a major risk factor for developing ASCVD. DLP is a condition characterised by unnaturally high levels of one or more lipid or lipoproteins in plasma. Although clinical manifestations of atherosclerosis are observed in middle age and above, atherosclerosis is a paediatric problem with a faster pathological procedure. Hence, increased awareness of the process of diagnosis, management, and treatment of children and adolescents with inherited or acquired DLPs among physicians and paediatricians is useful to prevent ASCVD in the future. The physicians and paediatricians must be aware of the current recommendations on DLP screening, pathophysiology, strategies for lifestyle modifications, pharmacotherapy, and guidelines for constant monitoring to better management of the disease. One of the most effective ways of managing DLP in childhood is to change lifestyle, in which parents have a critical role. In critical conditions, pharmacological interventions, along with changing lifestyle, may have significant effects on treating DLP. The aim of the present review was to investigate the epidemiology, pathophysiology, screening, management, and early treatment of DLP in youth. The data collected in this study increases our understanding of the importance of screening, management, and early treatment of DLP in order to prevent later risks and side effects that might even be life-threatening.