Children on Statin Drugs

The July 8th Science Times had an article on children as young as eight being put on cholesterol lowering drugs called statins in hope that it would prevent heart attacks in the future.  The recommendations come from a panel at the American Academy of Pediatrics. Children with LDL cholesterol of 190 mg/dl or with a significant family history would be candidates for such a drug.  Doctors are divided on the issue and I tend to agree with the doctors who are against this practice.  

Side effects are muscle pain and cognitive problems.  There is no data that suggests it will prevent a heart attack or prolong life.  it would be a terrible shame to have children taking a medication that most could have done without if only they ate less McDonald's and exercised more.

Parents are often influenced by doctors advice.  If a child fits the criteria, drug companies advertise these drugs as life prolonging if not life saving, and a doctor advises so, parents will be likely to consent to the treatment.  Until a child reaches their age of majority (18 in most states) they cannot make their own medical decisions.  Since there is no long term studies that prove it will work, not what would happen to a person of statins for more than 50 years of their life, it would seen wreckless to force such a treatment on a child.  Children do have informed consent, parents make healthcare decisions.  Should we allow children who are not able to consent, be put on potentially dangerous medication that has no real multi year study to suggest it might actually work?