Screening Diagnosis and Management of Pediatric Hypertriglyceridemia

Published: February 18, 2026

Figure 2 of Triglyceride metabolism
  • Pediatric hypertriglyceridemia is increasingly prevalent, affecting up to 10–20% of U.S. youth, often in the context of obesity, insulin resistance, or secondary causes such as diabetes, hypothyroidism, nephrotic syndrome, or medication use.
  • Elevated triglycerides (TG) are clinically important, as they are associated with long-term risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) at mild to moderate elevations and, at very high levels, with acute pancreatitis.
  • Emerging therapies targeting the regulatory complex, including agents that inhibit apolipoprotein C-III, angiopoietin-like protein 3 (ANGPTL3), or microsomal TG transfer protein (MTP), show promise in treating chylomicronemia, and further pediatric studies are needed to establish safety and efficacy.
 

Screening and Diagnosis of Hypertriglyceridemia

Amy L. Peterson, MD, MS, FAHA shares why new guidance on screening, diagnosis, and treatment is urgently needed—and how the latest scientific statement fills that gap. She also highlights what the evidence shows, where research is headed next, and why this work matters for improving kids’ cardiovascular health. Watch to learn what clinicians and researchers need to know now.