Jonathan Flyer, MD, explains ideal ages for pediatric lipid screenings

After explaining how the recent Leveraging Evidence and Data to Drive (LEAD) Pediatric Initiative will strengthen awareness for universal lipid screening (ULS) and ways to boost screenings, Jonathan Flyer, MD, reminds providers when and how screenings are done.

Flyer, an associate professor of Pediatrics at the University of Vermont and division chief of Pediatric Cardiology at the University of Vermont Health Network, explained only 11% of youth ages 9 to 21 years have a documented lipid screening, while 30%–60% of dyslipidemia cases may be missed when relying on targeted screening alone.

"If clinicians are adhering to the guidelines set forth by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and American Academy of Pediatrics, ULS would happen once at ages 9 up to 11 [years]—so one time in that window—and it would happen again at age 17 to 21 [years]," Flyer said. "Identifying it early, detecting problems early, can help other family members, and it can really change the life of the individual."

The LEAD Pediatric Initiative also highlights the value of organized support networks. Flyer credited the Family Heart Foundation with playing a critical role in bringing experts together and offering accessible clinical and educational resources. “They have tremendous resources… Families and clinicians can reach out to a care navigator for any questions… and that’s really a special opportunity,” he noted.

By identifying barriers, unifying expert perspectives, and promoting actionable improvement strategies, the initiative aims to accelerate the adoption of ULS nationwide and close longstanding gaps in FH diagnosis and cardiovascular risk prevention among youth.

Reference:

Flyer J, Malik S, Hartz J, et al. Accelerating Guideline-Recommended Universal Pediatric Lipid Screening: Launch of the LEAD Pediatric Initiative. The Journal of Pediatrics. September 17, 2025. doi:10.1016/j.jpeds.2025.114804