Norton Children’s Metabolic Syndrome Clinic

If high cholesterol, high blood pressure or obesity runs in your family, your child might be at increased risk for dyslipidemia (high cholesterol and/or triglycerides) and hypertension (high blood pressure).

Dyslipidemia disorders include high levels of cholesterol, triglycerides and other lipids in the blood. Dyslipidemia can put a child at risk for atherosclerosis — the buildup of plaque in blood vessels that can cause heart attacks and strokes. As dyslipidemia often begins in childhood or adolescence, improving lipid levels in a child’s blood may reduce the risk of premature heart disease.

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, in children is likely to persist as they grow if it is left untreated. High blood pressure can lead to stroke, heart failure and kidney disease.

High blood pressure or high cholesterol/triglycerides often are seen in children and teens who are overweight.

Metabolic syndrome is a collective term for a number of conditions that, in combination, can increase a child’s risk for heart disease and Type 2 diabetes.

As dyslipidemia, hypertension and other components of metabolic syndrome affect many parts of the body, a multidisciplinary team of physicians specializing in cardiology, endocrinology, nephrology and nutrition brings together multiple viewpoints and backgrounds to provide a higher level of care.

What to Expect at the Norton Children’s Metabolic Syndrome Clinic

Specialized care providers conduct a thorough assessment of your child’s risk for future heart disease and develop a treatment plan. If your child is at risk for heart disease in the future, a customized treatment plan will include recommendations to improve diet, physical activity and unhealthy behaviors.

Recommendations may include:

Specialized measurements of your child’s blood pressure or body size
Ultrasound testing for cardiac or kidney changes
24-hour blood pressure monitoring
Screening for additional lipid abnormalities and evaluation of risk for diabetes and lifestyle- or obesity-related organ damage
A visit with one of our specially trained dietitians
Medication

Specialties Available Through the Metabolic Syndrome Clinic

Cardiology
Nutrition

Access to a Metabolic Syndrome Nurse Navigator

A nurse navigator will be your primary contact person and will guide you through the health care process, serving as your advocate.

The nurse navigator uses clinical expertise and training, along with collaboration with the clinic’s multidisciplinary team, to provide education and guidance for your entire family.

Our nurse navigator can help with: