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Published on: November 21, 2013

Clinical analysis of hypertension in children: an urban Indian study

Sunil K Kota1, Siva K Kota, Lalit K Meher

  • 1Department of Endocrinology, Medwin Hospital, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India. hidocsunil@ibibo.com

Saudi Journal of Kidney Diseases and Transplantation : an Official Publication of the Saudi Center for Organ Transplantation, Saudi Arabia
|July 3, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Pediatric hypertension is uncommon but serious, often asymptomatic, and linked to end-organ damage. Early identification and treatment are crucial for preventing cardiovascular complications in children.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Cardiology
  • Nephrology

Background:

  • Pediatric hypertension, though infrequent, is linked to significant end-organ damage.
  • Early recognition and management are vital for preventing long-term cardiovascular consequences in children.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the clinical profile of hypertension in pediatric patients.
  • To analyze presenting symptoms, age distribution, and underlying causes of hypertension in children.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective review of medical records of 135 children (aged 18 and younger) with hypertension from January 1990 to December 2010.
  • Patients were categorized into four age groups: infants, pre-school, school-age, and adolescents.
  • Clinical features, symptoms, and etiologies were evaluated and compared with existing literature.

Main Results:

  • Adolescents (42.9%) were the most affected age group. Dizziness (30.3%), headache, and chest discomfort were common symptoms.
  • Chronic glomerulonephritis (41.5%) was the leading cause, followed by endocrine disorders (15.5%). Coarctation of the aorta was the primary cause in infants (40%).
  • Transient hypertension occurred in 25.2% (mostly adolescents), while sustained hypertension (74.8%) was more common in school-aged children. Hypertensive crisis presented in 31.1% of patients.

Conclusions:

  • Pediatric hypertension is often underestimated but poses a serious health risk, frequently associated with underlying conditions.
  • Prompt identification and appropriate treatment by primary care clinicians are essential to prevent cardiovascular damage.
  • Most pediatric hypertension cases have an identifiable etiology, emphasizing the need for thorough diagnostic evaluation.

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