[Pediatric hypertension in Sardinia: prevalence, regional distribution, risk factors]

Adulthood antecedents of hypertension may be early detected since childhood. The aims of our research were: a) to identify the prevalence of pediatric hypertension (blood pressure >95th percentile according to previous Italian standards) in Sardinia and its local distribution (urban areas vs rural lands), and b) to detect the risk factors of high blood pressure.

839 adolescents were enrolled and their blood pressure, height, and weight were measured repeatedly over a 3-year period. A questionnaire was distributed to the patients in order to identify the risk factors of their high blood pressure as well.

Hypertensive subjects were 9.4% of the study sample. Isolated systolic hypertension was the most common type of hypertension (4.6%). Hypertensive males were more frequent in rural lands than in urban areas. Borderline subjects (blood pressure between 90th-95th percentile) were 10.3%. Among risk factors, a statistical significant relationship was found with overweight/obesity on the basis of body mass index (p <0.001), diet (p < 0.01), low weight at birth (p < 0.01), familial hypertension (p < 0.05), sedentary life (p < 0.05).

Pediatric hypertension in Sardinia is more common than generally reported in the literature. The number of borderline subjects is very high as well. Both excessive weight and diet are the main risk factors with respect to an early disposition that may be a fatal outcome in adult life.