Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 16, 2025

Measuring the Carotid to Femoral Pulse Wave Velocity Cf-PWV to Evaluate Arterial Stiffness
05:51

Measuring the Carotid to Femoral Pulse Wave Velocity Cf-PWV to Evaluate Arterial Stiffness

Published on: May 3, 2018

17.7K

Trends in Pediatric Blood Pressure-Lowering Prescription Fills During 2017-2023

Ashutosh Kumar1,2, Nicole L Therrien1, John Ogwuegbu1,3

  • 1Division for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia.

AJPM Focus
|July 10, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Pediatric blood pressure medication fills saw a slight overall increase from 2017-2023. This rise was primarily driven by a significant increase in fills among adolescent females, particularly for non-guideline medications.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric pharmacology and public health surveillance.
  • Analysis of prescription drug utilization trends in adolescents.

Background:

  • Lack of national data on blood pressure-lowering prescription trends in U.S. children and adolescents.
  • Importance of monitoring medication use in the pediatric population for public health insights.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To estimate national trends in blood pressure-lowering prescription fills among U.S. individuals aged 3-17 years.
  • To analyze these trends by sex and age group.
  • To examine fills for guideline-recommended versus non-guideline medications.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized IQVIA's Total Patient Tracker database (covering 94% of U.S. outpatient retail fills) from 2017-2023.
  • Analyzed prescription fills for 113 generic blood pressure-lowering medications across 21 drug classes.
  • Employed Joinpoint regression to estimate average annual percentage change in fill rates.

Main Results:

  • Overall blood pressure-lowering prescription fills in ages 3-17 increased slightly from 1.93% to 2.09% (2017-2023).
  • Fills remained stable in males but increased significantly (23.9%) in females, particularly those aged 13-17 years (6.3% average annual increase).
  • Prescription fills for guideline-recommended medications either stabilized or decreased, while increases were seen in non-guideline medications.

Conclusions:

  • Blood pressure-lowering prescription fills are increasing in U.S. youth, with a notable rise in adolescent females.
  • The increase is largely attributed to medications not listed in the 2017 American Academy of Pediatrics guideline.
  • Findings suggest potential off-label prescribing or use for conditions beyond pediatric hypertension.
Abstract

Keywords:
Blood pressure–lowering medicationsantihypertensivesblood pressureclinical practice guidelinepediatric hypertension

More Related Videos

Multidisciplinary Approach to Obesity Management: A Case Report05:10

Multidisciplinary Approach to Obesity Management: A Case Report

Published on: May 30, 2025

358
Author Spotlight: Exploring Venous Waveforms in Porcine Models to Tackle Volume Overload in Medicine06:09

Author Spotlight: Exploring Venous Waveforms in Porcine Models to Tackle Volume Overload in Medicine

Published on: January 12, 2024

735

Related Concept Videos

Factors affecting Blood pressure01:28

Factors affecting Blood pressure

Several physiological and lifestyle factors influence blood pressure (BP). Understanding these factors is crucial as they are significant in patient education and blood pressure management.
Physiological Factors:
5.0K
Hypertension and Regulation of Blood Pressure01:18

Hypertension and Regulation of Blood Pressure

Hypertension, the most common cardiovascular disease, is diagnosed through repeated measurements of elevated blood pressure. Its risks, including damage to the kidney, heart, and brain, are directly proportional to blood pressure levels. Starting from 115/75 mm Hg, the risk of cardiovascular disease doubles with each increment of 20/10 mm Hg. The diagnosis relies on blood pressure measurements, not on patient symptoms, as hypertension is often asymptomatic until end-organ damage is imminent or...
3.1K
Pre-Procedural Guidelines for Assessing Blood Pressure01:10

Pre-Procedural Guidelines for Assessing Blood Pressure

Accurate blood pressure assessment is crucial for diagnosing and managing various health conditions. To ensure the reliability of these measurements, healthcare professionals must adhere to standardized pre-procedural guidelines. These guidelines enhance patient safety and improve the overall quality of healthcare. The following steps are essential for obtaining accurate and consistent blood pressure readings, from using the appropriate tools to ensuring effective communication with the...
633
Alterations in Blood Pressure01:30

Alterations in Blood Pressure

Alterations in blood pressure, such as hypertension (high blood pressure) and hypotension (low blood pressure), significantly affect human health. Understanding these conditions' classifications, causes, and symptoms is essential for effective management and treatment.
Hypertension (High blood pressure)
Hypertension occurs when blood pressure readings consistently exceed the normal range. It is diagnosed when systolic blood pressure (the top number, indicating pressure while the heart...
1.5K
Hypertension I: Introduction01:28

Hypertension I: Introduction

Hypertension is a widespread, long-term medical condition where blood pressure in the arteries remains elevated. It is characterized by systolic blood pressure readings of 130 mm Hg or above or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) readings of 80 mm Hg or higher. Unmanaged hypertension poses significant health risks, making the distinction between primary (or essential) hypertension and secondary hypertension crucial, as their management and implications vary.Primary HypertensionPrimary hypertension,...
84
Hypertension IV: Drug Therapy and Lifestyle Modifications01:28

Hypertension IV: Drug Therapy and Lifestyle Modifications

Multiple classes of antihypertensive medications are employed in treating hypertension. The most commonly recommended first-line treatments include:Thiazide Diuretics, such as chlorthalidone, increase sodium and water excretion from the body, reducing blood volume and blood pressure.Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, like lisinopril, block the conversion of angiotensin I to II, a potent vasoconstrictor lowering blood pressure.Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers (ARBs) prevent angiotensin II...
48