PEDIATRIC CARDIOVASCULAR SCREENING RESEARCH

According to current NIH guidelines, there should be universal screening of children ages 9-11 for cholesterol. By doing so, pediatricians can often detect familial hypercholesterolemia or high cholesterol that leads to future heart disease. However, many pediatricians currently are not following these guidelines. This project is to determine why that is the case and what changes can be implemented to help universal screening. Purpose (a): The objective of this project is to understand general pediatricians’ screening and treatment processes in children with a variety of cardiovascular disease risk factors, including what steps could be taken to ensure universal cholesterol screening of children ages 9-11. Methods (b): 1. Recruitment: Participants will be recruited via NLA pediatricians, contacted via email directly from the directors of these networks in order to maintain anonymity. 2. Data and Storage: Only the primary investigator will have access to the participating pediatrician’s responses to the questionnaire. The information will be imported directly from the submitted questionnaires, collated and stored on a secure online excel spreadsheet. 3. Procedures to Maintain Confidentiality: Because the directors of the participating networks are sending out the questionnaire on behalf of the study investigators, there is no direct trail from the primary investigator to the respondents. Thus, anonymity is maintained, and all the submitted information will remain confidential to the individual. 4. Data Security: Access to the excel spreadsheet will be password restricted to only the study’s primary investigator(s). Results (c): Briefly speaking, the majority of respondents do not currently order cholesterol screenings for their patients. However, 83% of the respondents do think that universal screening of cholesterol of children ages 9-11 years old is important. The major barriers seen by providers included family hesitancy and financial restrictions. Conclusions (d): There are opportunities to capitalize on the barriers for universal cholesterol screening in children ages 9-11, including provider education on current NIH guidelines, insurance policy, and family education.