[Renovascular disease in children - a rare diagnosis with few symptoms]

BACKGROUND To estimate the prevalence, symptoms, causes and treatment of renovascular disease in children, and also to assess the degree of secondary organ damage to the heart, kidneys and eyes (end organ damage).MATERIAL AND METHOD Retrospective review of data for all children (0 - 16 years) who were examined for resistant hypertension in the period 1998 - 2013 at Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet.RESULTS A total of 21 children/adolescents (median age 8.5 years, 11 girls) were assessed and treated for resistant hypertension in the study period. Altogether had 38 % no symptoms at the time of diagnosis and 19 % had classical symptoms of hypertension. Fifteen patients received invasive treatment in the form of percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty (PTRA) (n = 5), nephrectomy (n = 6), coiling (n = 1), autotransplantation (n = 1) or a combination of these (n = 2). Blood pressure improved following treatment in 10 of 14 patients for whom outcomes were recorded in the medical records. End organ damage to the heart and retina was observed in 60 % and 50 % of patients, respectively.INTERPRETATION Children with severely elevated blood pressure as a result of renovascular disease often have unspecific or no symptoms. Blood pressure improved following invasive treatment in 10 of 14 children and few complications were recorded. Invasive treatment may be considered in children and adolescents when standard treatment for hypertension is insufficient.