Work up of the child with hypertension

This paper outlines the work up of children with hypertension. In those with confirmed hypertension, the initial work up should be focused on the evaluation for renal parenchymal and renovascular disease. Secondary evaluation should be focused on history and clinical findings. Consideration of angiography should be made in children with severe hypertension and no evidence of renal parenchymal disease, with hypertension requiring more than a single antihypertensive agent to achieve adequate BP control, or with confirmed BP > 99th percentile for sex/age/height percentile. Screening for endocrinopathies should be directed by compatible history and findings on physical examination and should not be a part of a routine initial work up. In any child diagnosed with hypertension, attempts should be made to evaluate for end-organ disease and co-morbid conditions, particularly left ventricular hypertrophy. Pediatricians should establish a degree of comfort in the evaluation and management of hypertension; however, children with severe and complicated hypertension should be referred to a specialist well versed and practiced in the evaluation and management of this disease.