Cardiovascular diseases represent an ever more frequent cause of death in most European countries. In spite of the fact that they become clinically manifest particularly at the adult age, their cause – atherosclerotic process – originates already in childhood. An early diagnostics and an attempt to influence initial atherosclerotic changes already in this period could therefore significantly contribute to prevention of this disease in the population as a whole. The aim of the contribution is to summarize the established as well as recently discussed methods for the determination preclinical atherosclerosis and their use in clinical medicine.

        Key words: children, atherosclerosis, cholesterol