Lipid Disorders Program

Dr. Helén Dichek, director of the Lipid Disorders Program, is a national expert in identifying and treating these conditions in children. She specializes in lipid metabolism – how the body uses fatty acids to make and store energy and how the body makes and uses cholesterol. As an expert in how cholesterol damages blood vessels and causes hardening of the arteries, she understands what to do to prevent this.

Our Endocrinology and Diabetes Program is one of the top-ranked programs of its kind in the United States, which means your child will be cared for by the very best.

• Lipid disorders happen for many reasons. Dr. Dichek is experienced in finding the cause so your child gets the right treatment. She started the Lipid Disorder Program at Seattle Children’s in 2001.
• We tailor treatment to your child. We can offer treatment options not available at all centers, including clinical trials of promising new treatments.
• Lipid levels are only part of the picture. Healthy blood vessels are also key. It is very important to avoid inflammation, which raises the risk of heart disease and stroke. We talk to families about healthy lifestyle habits that help prevent diabetes, heart attack and stroke. These include keeping weight under control, not smoking and getting exercise.

• Dr. Dichek does research to improve care for children with lipid disorders. She works with Seattle Children’s Center for Clinical and Translational Research.
• She keeps a registry of patients taking medicines for lipid disorders so we better understand the long-term effects.
• In past research, Dr. Dichek found the genetic change (mutation) that causes a type of lipid disorder called chylomicronemia syndrome.

• We treat your whole child, not just their symptoms. Members of our team have special training in their field and in the unique needs of children and teens.
• At Seattle Children’s, child life specialists and social workers help your child and family ease tension, express concerns or fears and feel more in control. We connect you to endocrinology and diabetes resources.
• We work with many children and families from around the Northwest and beyond. Seattle Children's can help with financial counseling, schooling, housing, transportation, interpreter services and spiritual care. Read about our services for patients and families.

Finding and treating any existing condition is the first step. Dr. Dichek has years of experience diagnosing and caring for children with endocrine conditions. She refers patients to other specialists if needed.

We also check if a child is taking medicine for another condition. If that medicine is causing high blood lipid levels, Dr. Dichek works with the child’s other doctors to see if another medicine can be taken instead. If that’s not possible, sometimes children take medicine to lower their lipid levels.

Some lipid disorders can be treated with medicines. Children with generalized lipodystrophy take a medicine (leptin) that replaces a missing hormone. Taken early in life, this can prevent diabetes from developing.

Dr. Dichek is working to find and test more medicines for children with lipid disorders. For example, medicines that adults take for chylomicronemia syndrome may also be safe and effective in children.

We talk to your family about lifestyle habits to keep the blood vessels healthy and lower the risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes. These habits include keeping weight under control, not smoking, getting exercise, and preventing or controlling diabetes.

Our dietitians work with you to create an eating plan that fits your family. They account for your child’s favorite foods, family culture and budget. We help you connect with resources at school and in the community to eat a healthy diet.

If tests show your child’s blood sugar (glucose) levels do not stay normal after they eat or drink, we refer them to our Insulin Resistance Clinic.