In a controlled study (N = 15), the effect of usual vegetable oil-based and sitostanol-based margarines on serum cholesterol were compared in children with familial hypercholesterolaemia (age 2–15 years). After 6 weeks of treatment sitostanol margarine had decreased serum total and LDL cholesterol by 11 and 15%, respectively, and increased the HDL/LDL cholesterol ratio by 27%.
Comment: The quality of evidence is downgraded by sparse data and potential reporting bias (no systematic literature search was performed).