Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 11, 2026

Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
19:15

Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale

Published on: August 25, 2014

Antenatal and postnatal risk factors for neonatal hypertension and infant follow-up

Wael A Seliem1, Michael C Falk, Bruce Shadbolt

  • 1Department of Neonatology, The Canberra Hospital, P.O. Box 11, Woden 2606 ACT, Australia.

Pediatric Nephrology (Berlin, Germany)
|September 18, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Neonatal hypertension, a rare intensive care complication, is linked to prematurity and specific risk factors. Most infants’ blood pressure normalizes by six months without long-term treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatology
  • Pediatric Nephrology
  • Critical Care Medicine

Background:

  • Neonatal hypertension is an infrequent yet significant complication in neonatal intensive care.
  • Identifying risk factors and understanding outcomes are crucial for managing affected infants.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine antenatal and postnatal risk factors for neonatal hypertension.
  • To assess aldosterone and renin levels in neonates with hypertension.
  • To report on the early infancy outcomes of these infants.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective review of neonates diagnosed with systemic hypertension between January 2001 and December 2005.
  • Collection of demographic data, risk factors, laboratory results, and follow-up data at 3-6 months.
  • Analysis of 2,572 newborn infants, with 34 (1.3%) diagnosed with hypertension.

Main Results:

  • Infants with hypertension had significantly lower gestational age, birth weight, and length.
  • Key risk factors included antenatal steroids, maternal hypertension, umbilical arterial catheter use, postnatal acute renal failure, patent ductus arteriosus, indomethacin, and chronic lung disease.
  • Elevated aldosterone (60%) and renin (33%) levels were common but mostly normalized by 6 months.

Conclusions:

  • Neonatal hypertension is associated with specific antenatal and postnatal factors and prematurity.
  • Hormonal imbalances (aldosterone, renin) are often transient.
  • Most infants achieve normotension by early infancy, often without requiring ongoing treatment.

More Related Videos

Modeling Posthemorrhagic Hydrocephalus of Prematurity in Rats04:12

Modeling Posthemorrhagic Hydrocephalus of Prematurity in Rats

Published on: March 28, 2025

A Rat Model of Mild Intrauterine Hypoperfusion with Microcoil Stenosis06:19

A Rat Model of Mild Intrauterine Hypoperfusion with Microcoil Stenosis

Published on: January 7, 2018

Related Concept Videos

Hypertension V: Nursing Management01:23

Hypertension V: Nursing Management

The nursing management of hypertension involves accurately assessing symptoms, making a comprehensive nursing diagnosis, collaborating with patients to set goals, and implementing targeted interventions to mitigate the condition's impact and improve patient well-being.Comprehensive AssessmentThe initial step in nursing care for hypertension involves a thorough patient assessment. It includes evaluating symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, blurred vision, and previous hypertension episodes.
Hypertension III: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies01:30

Hypertension III: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies

Hypertension is asymptomatic and also referred to as the "silent killer" until it progresses to a severe stage or causes target organ disease. Patients may experience symptoms stemming from the strain on blood vessels and tissues in various organs or the heart's increased workload.Physical exams might show no abnormalities other than high blood pressure. Signs of vascular damage, when present, correspond to the organs supplied by the affected vessels, leading to target organ damage. For...
Hypertension and Regulation of Blood Pressure01:18

Hypertension and Regulation of Blood Pressure

Hypertension, the most common cardiovascular disease, is diagnosed through repeated measurements of elevated blood pressure. Its risks, including damage to the kidney, heart, and brain, are directly proportional to blood pressure levels. Starting from 115/75 mm Hg, the risk of cardiovascular disease doubles with each increment of 20/10 mm Hg. The diagnosis relies on blood pressure measurements, not on patient symptoms, as hypertension is often asymptomatic until end-organ damage is imminent or...
Factors affecting Blood pressure01:28

Factors affecting Blood pressure

Several physiological and lifestyle factors influence blood pressure (BP). Understanding these factors is crucial as they are significant in patient education and blood pressure management.
Physiological Factors:
Hormonal Regulation01:33

Hormonal Regulation

The renin-aldosterone system is an endocrine system which guides the renal absorption of water and electrolytes, thus managing blood pressure and osmoregulation. Activation of the system begins in the kidneys with a small cluster of cells adjacent to the afferent and efferent blood vessels of the renal corpuscle. As the nephrons are filtering blood, juxtaglomerular cells monitor blood pressure. If they detect a decrease in pressure, they release the hormone renin into the bloodstream.
Hypertension I: Introduction01:28

Hypertension I: Introduction

Hypertension is a widespread, long-term medical condition where blood pressure in the arteries remains elevated. It is characterized by systolic blood pressure readings of 130 mm Hg or above or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) readings of 80 mm Hg or higher. Unmanaged hypertension poses significant health risks, making the distinction between primary (or essential) hypertension and secondary hypertension crucial, as their management and implications vary.Primary HypertensionPrimary hypertension,...