 Familial hypercholesterolemia, FH, is a genetic disorder characterized by high levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, LDLC. It is estimated that up to 1% of the population may have this condition, which can lead to serious health complications if left untreated. In this study, researchers examined the prevalence of FH among children in Romania who had been admitted to a hospital with elevated LDLC levels. They found that 5 out of 20 children tested positive for pathogenic or likely pathogenic mutations in the LDL receptor, LDLR, and apolipoprotein B, APOB, genes, which explained their high LDLC levels. These findings highlight the importance of early detection and treatment of FH in order to prevent potentially fatal cardiovascular diseases. This article was authored by Andrea Teodora-Constantine, Ioannis Trieta, Mirela Silvia-Covacescu and others.