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Hypertension in Children: Could the Prevalence be on the Increase?
Ogechukwu F Amadi1, Ifenyinwa B Okeke1, Ikenna K Ndu1
1Department of Paediatrics, College of Medicine, Enugu State University of Technology, Enugu, Nigeria.
Insights
Childhood hypertension is a growing concern in Nigeria, with 9% of children studied having high blood pressure. Key risk factors include age, gender, and protein in urine, highlighting the need for routine checks.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
- Cardiology
Background:
- Primary hypertension is often underestimated in pediatric populations, especially in developing regions.
- Understanding hypertension prevalence in children is crucial for implementing early lifestyle interventions and reducing long-term health risks.
- Adult hypertension risk factors are well-documented, but pediatric data, particularly in specific environments, remains essential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of hypertension among children aged 6-17 years in Enugu, Nigeria.
- To identify risk factors associated with hypertension in this pediatric cohort.
- To inform public health strategies for managing childhood hypertension.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study enrolled 491 children aged 6-17 years from a tertiary hospital outpatient clinic.
- Data collected included socioeconomic status, anthropometrics (weight, height), blood pressure (BP), and dipstick urinalysis.
- Dietary quality was assessed using the Mediterranean Diet Quality Index (KIDMED).
Main Results:
- The prevalence of hypertension was 9% (46 out of 491 children).
- Hypertension was more common in females (72%) and older children aged 13-17 years (57%).
- Significant associations were found between hypertension and age, gender, and proteinuria; however, BMI, diet, family history, and SES were not significant predictors.
Conclusions:
- The prevalence of childhood hypertension in this Nigerian setting is notably high and shows an increasing trend.
- Routine blood pressure and urinalysis screenings are recommended for all children in clinical and hospital settings.
- Early detection and management are vital to mitigate BP-related health risks in children.
Background:
In children particularly in the developing world, there is a tendency to downplay the role of primary hypertension in their health. In adults, a number of factors have clearly been associated with the incidence of hypertension. Knowledge of the prevalence of hypertension and its associated factors among children in our environment is important and could inform the need for lifestyle changes and routine blood pressure (BP) checks in children so as to reduce BP-related health risks.
Aim:
The aim of this study is to document the prevalence of hypertension and its risk factors among children in Enugu, Nigeria.
Materials And Methods:
Children aged 6-17 years attending the outpatient clinic of a tertiary hospital, were enrolled for the study. Their socioeconomic status (SES), weight, height, BP, and dipstick urinalysis were measured using standardized methods. Adherence to Mediterranean diet was assessed using the Mediterranean Diet Quality Index (KIDMED). The prevalence of hypertension and the influence of these factors on their BP were analyzed.
Results:
Forty-six (9%) of the 491 participants had hypertension. Of these 46 hypertensive children, 72% were females while a significantly higher proportion 57% (P = 0.006), were in the age group 13-17 years. While age, gender, and the presence of protein in urine were significantly associated with hypertension in these children; body mass index, diet, family history of hypertension, and SES were not.
Conclusion:
The prevalence of hypertension in children in this environment is high and appears to be increasing. There is need for routine BP and urinalysis check for all children in our clinics and wards.
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