Calculators & Tools

Dutch Lipid Criteria — Familial Hypercholesterolaemia

Dutch Lipid Clinic Network score for diagnosing familial hypercholesterolaemia.

1 What is the Dutch Lipid Criteria — Familial Hypercholesterolaemia?

The Dutch Lipid Criteria — Familial Hypercholesterolaemia is a endocrine scoring tool used in paediatric practice. Dutch Lipid Clinic Network score for diagnosing familial hypercholesterolaemia. It scores 5 criteria and interprets the total across 4 bands, so the number always arrives with the severity it implies rather than on its own. In PediAid each criterion is shown as a labelled option with the weight it carries, so the total can be checked rather than taken on trust.

2 When to use it

  • Grading severity at the bedside in endocrine
  • Recording an objective severity band in the case notes
  • Deciding when a total crosses the threshold for escalation
  • Re-scoring to track whether a child is improving or deteriorating
  • Checking the exact criteria of a score used infrequently

3 Formula & method

The score sums 5 criteria: Family history; Clinical history (in the patient); Physical examination; LDL cholesterol; DNA analysis. Totals are then banded: any score - Unlikely: score 0-2 - familial hypercholesterolaemia unlikely. Address secondary causes and lifestyle; 3 points or more - Possible FH: score 3-5 - possible FH. Confirm with repeat fasting lipids, family cascade screening; 6 points or more - Probable FH: score 6-8 - probable FH. Start lifestyle measures, consider statin therapy from age 8-10 years, and cascade-screen relatives; 9 points or more - Definite FH: score >8 - definite FH. Statin therapy and specialist lipid referral; cascade screening of all first-degree relatives is essential.
  • Only the single highest-scoring option per group is counted. Premature = <55 y in men, <60 y in women.
  • Source: World Health Organization. Familial hypercholesterolaemia: report of a WHO consultation. Geneva 1998 (Dutch Lipid Clinic Network criteria).

4 Frequently asked questions

How many criteria does the Dutch Lipid Criteria — Familial Hypercholesterolaemia use?

5. They are Family history; Clinical history (in the patient); Physical examination; LDL cholesterol; DNA analysis.

What do the bands of the Dutch Lipid Criteria — Familial Hypercholesterolaemia mean?

The total is interpreted as: any score - Unlikely: score 0-2 - familial hypercholesterolaemia unlikely. Address secondary causes and lifestyle; 3 points or more - Possible FH: score 3-5 - possible FH. Confirm with repeat fasting lipids, family cascade screening; 6 points or more - Probable FH: score 6-8 - probable FH. Start lifestyle measures, consider statin therapy from age 8-10 years, and cascade-screen relatives; 9 points or more - Definite FH: score >8 - definite FH. Statin therapy and specialist lipid referral; cascade screening of all first-degree relatives is essential.

Does the score replace clinical judgement?

No. It is a structured way to record and communicate severity. A clinician concerned about a child should act on that concern regardless of the total.

Where does this score come from?

Only the single highest-scoring option per group is counted. Premature = <55 y in men, <60 y in women.

Does it work offline?

Yes. Score definitions are bundled with the PediAid app, so the score computes without a connection.

For qualified clinicians. This page and the PediAid app are a clinical aid only. Calculations and reference data must be verified against the patient's clinical context, the source guideline and your local protocols before any treatment decision is made.