Essential hypertension: antecedents in children

A prospective study was conducted to determine the incidence of essential hypertension (EH) and identify markers, if any, in children of essential hypertension families. The study group included 90 children (2-18 years) with a parent or grandparent with EH while the control group had 25 age matched children from non-hypertensive families. Around 30% children (n=27) from these families had a diastolic blood pressure of >95th centile and an additional 27% (n=24) had borderline hypertension. The serum cholesterol, serum triglycerides and 24 hour urinary sodium excretion were significantly higher in the study group (p < 0.05) as compared to controls. The children from the study group also had a significant high salt (p < 0.001) and fat intake (P < 0.05).