Prevalence of hypertension in children and adolescents

The children in the population of the district of Prague 4 were screened for the prevalence of hypertension. From the age group 6--11 years (1st--5th forms), a representative sample was selected, comprising 2 152 children; of the age group 12--19 years (6th--9th forms and adolescents), 90% of the population (11 323 individuals) were examined. The arbitrarily set criteria of hypertension 130/80 mmHg in the children aged 6--11 years and 135/80 mmHg in those aged 12--19 years, were found acceptable for identification of potential hypertonics. In the population examined, such or higher pressures were found in 0.5--3.4% of the subjects examined. By thorough clinical and laboratory examinations of children aged 11--15 years with elevated blood pressures the participation of secondary hypertension was determined. In comparison with a control group, these children exhibited statistically significantly more frequent diseases, obesity, and faulty regimen of living, as well as hypertension in their parents.