Transitioning Adolescents and Young Adults with Lipid Disorders to Adult Health Care.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Pediatric healthcare providers have increasingly become aware of the need for timely and informative transition of adolescents and young adults with chronic medical conditions such as diabetes and cystic fibrosis. However, there is paucity of published data on the importance of and most effective way to transition youth with lipid disorders who are at increased risk of premature cardiovascular disease.

RECENT FINDINGS: Evidence shows that atherosclerosis begins at a young age. However, there are no guidelines on the transition of adolescents and young adults with dyslipidemia. In addition, there are conflicting guidelines for lipid management in children versus adults, despite advances in medical pharmacotherapies for dyslipidemia. The lack of guidelines for transition and discordant recommendations for management of this vulnerable population places young adults at-risk for worsening of their underlying disease, and premature cardiovascular events.