High Cholesterol Testing for 15 Month Year Old?

As a new parent I'm trying to keep on top of immunizations and everything I should be looking for as signs of any illness or disability in my infants behavior. But now I'm hearing at 15 months children should be tested for high cholesterol and I'm starting to wonder if the medical profession is taking things a little too far or if I'm not being proactive enough.

A new article in the British Medical Journal cited studies that showed screening for high cholesterol was most effective between the age of one and nine, identifying 88 percent of affected individuals while screening newborns and adults was less effective in preventing heart disease.

And that's not all, the article also suggests if a child is found to have high cholesterol during a routine checkup for scheduled vaccinations then a parent can also be screened at that time preventing future illnesses. A CNN health reporter took it a step further suggesting infant blood pressure screening.

The news is just the recent declaration in a line of innovative vaccines, checkups and drugs targeted to children. For example, the FDA recently approved a HPV vaccine for pre-teen girls that some states have actually mandated. ADHD medications are prescribed like candy. According to, "The Drugging of Our Children" by Gary Null between 6 and 7 million children are taking prescribed psychotropic drugs. An August article in the journal Pediatrics insists earlier childhood developmental screening is needed. And in New Zealand a proposed $5 million a year program would make it mandatory for every newborn's caregiver to nominate an authorized provider to assess their family's progress through home visits. Those who refused to take part would be referred to welfare authorities.

How did our parents raise us to be somewhat well adjusted adults without all the screenings and drugs?

Modern medicine is wonderful and I am grateful researchers have gone to such measures to protect our children and everyone is so invested in their future. But I'm conflicted in wondering how far is too far?

Are we so concerned with what could be wrong with our children we're forgetting some basic tenets of child rearing like exercise and the use of one's imagination? While I feel ADHD and high cholesterol are very real illnesses and prevention is an amazing feat I hope parents won't use them as a crutch or catch all.

Sure, I'll be among the overly obsessed and worried parents getting my 15 month old screened because I'd rather be safe than sorry, but I also plan to balance my paranoia with some sensibility.