CHARONEfficacy and safety of rosuvastatin therapy in children and adolescents with familial hypercholesterolemia
OBJECTIVE: Heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH) is an autosomal dominant disorder
leading to premature atherosclerosis. Guidelines recommend initiating statins early to reduce lowdensity
lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). Studies have evaluated rosuvastatin in children aged
$10 years, but its efficacy and safety in younger children is unknown. METHODS: Children with HeFH and fasting LDL-C .4.92 mmol/L (190 mg/dL) or .4.10 mmol/L
(.158 mg/dL) with other cardiovascular risk factors received rosuvastatin 5 mg daily. Based on LDL-C targets (,2.85 mmol/L [,110 mg/dL]), rosuvastatin could be uptitrated to 10 mg (aged 6–
9 years) or 20 mg (aged 10–17 years). Treatment lasted 2 years. Changes in lipid values, growth, sexual
maturation, and adverse events (AEs) were assessed. RESULTS: The intention-to-treat analysis included 197 patients. At 24months, LDL-C was reduced by
43, 45, and 35% vs baseline in patients aged 6–9, 10–13, and 14–17 years, respectively (P ,.001 for all
groups). Most AEs were mild. Intermittent myalgia was reported in 11 (6%) patients and did not lead to
discontinuation of rosuvastatin treatment. Serious AEs were reported by 9 (5%) patients, all considered unrelated
to treatment by the investigators. No clinically important changes in hepatic biochemistry were reported.
Rosuvastatin treatment did not appear to adversely affect height, weight, or sexual maturation. CONCLUSIONS: In HeFH patients aged 6–17 years, rosuvastatin 5–20 mg over 2 years significantly
reduced LDL-C compared with baseline. Treatment was well tolerated, with no adverse effects on growth
or sexual maturation.