Luxembourg Launches Early Screening Program to Prevent Heart Disease in Children

A new nationwide campaign will begin on November 17 to detect familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) — a hereditary condition that causes dangerously high cholesterol levels from birth and increases the risk of early heart disease.

The initiative, led by the Health Directorate, will invite the legal representatives of around 7,200 resident children and 1,000 non-resident children aged 18 months to participate in a free screening test. Families will receive a letter explaining how to schedule an appointment through MyGuichet for the painless test.

A Silent but Serious Condition
“The problem with familial hypercholesterolemia is that there are no symptoms before the infarction,” explains Dr. Marianne Becker, pediatric endocrinologist at the Centre Hospitalier de Luxembourg (CHL).

The condition often goes unnoticed until it causes severe cardiovascular issues — sometimes as early as age 10. Left untreated, FH can lead to cardio-neurovascular diseases and even premature death.

However, the disease is treatable. “The earlier it’s diagnosed, the better it can be managed,” says Dr. Becker.

Pilot Tests Already Showing Results
A preliminary phase of the campaign, conducted among primary school pupils in Luxembourg City, tested 1,860 children. Six were recalled for further analysis, and three were officially diagnosed with familial hypercholesterolemia.

Because FH is hereditary, once a case is detected, parents and siblings are also screened, ensuring early intervention for the whole family.

How the Screening Works
The test consists of a simple, painless fingertip blood sample, with results available in about eight minutes. Families will receive results both orally and in writing. If a child tests positive, the family will be referred for medical follow-up and genetic screening.

Appointments can be made at the Val Fleuri Medical Centre (Luxembourg City) or Esch-Belval, with plans to extend to Ettelbruck in 2026 to cover the country’s northern region.

For non-resident families, participation will be possible by submitting a request through MyGuichet.

Prevention for the Future
Health Minister Martine Deprez emphasized the importance of early detection:
“Prevention is better than cure. By identifying these cases early, we can protect children — and their families — from developing serious cardiovascular diseases later in life.”

This marks a major step in Luxembourg’s preventive health efforts, aiming to identify at-risk families before symptoms ever appear.
Read More : Screening: prevent your children from developing cardio-neurovascular disease | Daily life

Join the community of your own - #1 home-grown LuxExpats app
SignUp Free : luxembourgexpats.lu