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Renin and angiotensin levels in children
Insights
Pediatric renin-angiotensin system activity, including plasma renin activity and angiotensin II, remains elevated in childhood, declining with age. Sex-based differences and correlations with serum urea, sodium, and blood pressure were observed in children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Renal Physiology
- Cardiovascular Regulation
Background:
- The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) plays a crucial role in blood pressure regulation.
- Understanding developmental changes in RAS components is vital for pediatric health.
- Previous studies have indicated higher RAS activity in infants compared to adults.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate age-related changes in plasma renin activity (PRA), plasma renin concentration (PRC), and angiotensin II (Ang II) levels in normal children.
- To explore potential sex-based differences in these parameters.
- To examine correlations between RAS components and other physiological markers like serum urea, sodium, and diastolic blood pressure.
Main Methods:
- Measurement of PRA, PRC, and Ang II in 63 healthy children aged 2 months to 12 years.
- Statistical analysis to assess age trends, sex differences, and correlations with serum urea, sodium, and diastolic blood pressure.
Main Results:
- Elevated levels of PRA and Ang II were observed in infancy, persisting above adult levels throughout the first decade, with a notable decline in older children.
- Boys under 8 years exhibited lower PRA and Ang II compared to girls, potentially linked to substrate availability.
- Inverse correlations were found between PRA and serum urea in both sexes.
- Significant inverse relationships were identified between PRA/Ang II and serum sodium in girls.
- An inverse correlation between PRC and diastolic blood pressure was observed in the overall cohort.
Conclusions:
- Childhood is characterized by a distinct developmental trajectory of the renin-angiotensin system, with gradually decreasing activity.
- Sex-specific variations in RAS components may exist in early childhood.
- RAS activity in children is associated with key electrolytes and blood pressure, highlighting its importance in pediatric physiology.
Abstract:
Plasma renin activity, plasma renin concentration, and angiotensin II levels were measured in 63 normal children aged between 2 months and 12 years. The results showed that the high levels of renin and angiotensin II present in infancy remained above adult levels throughout the first decade of life but that there was a decline with age. Boys less than 8 years old had lower plasma renin activity and angiotensin II levels than girls of a similar age; this may be due to a relative substrate deficiency. Serum urea levels were inversely correlated with plasma renin activity in both sexes. A significant inverse relationship was found between both plasma renin activity and angiotensin II, and serum sodium in the girls; a similar, although not statistically significant, relationship was seen with plasma renin activity in the boys. An inverse correlation was found between plasma renin concentration and diastolic blood pressure for the group as a whole.