Pediatr. praxi. 2012;13(4):275-277

Arterial hypertension in children and adolescents

prof.MUDr.Tomáš Seeman, CSc.

Pediatrická klinika Fakultní nemocnice v Motole a 2. lékařské fakulty Univerzity Karlovy v Praze

Hypertension is one of the main risk factors of cardiovascular and renal diseases. The prevalence of hypertension in childhood is about

1 %. Secondary hypertension (renal, endocrine, cardiovascular) is more frequent than primary hypertension, however, in adolescents

primary form already prevails. Each child with hypertension has to be carefully investigated, the extent of the investigations depends

on the age of the child and severity of hypertension, however, all children must have basal investigations (urine, blood, renal ultrasound

and echocardiography). Treatment of hypertension is non-pharmacological and pharmacological (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors,

beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, diuretics, angiotensin receptor blockers) in case of symptomatic hypertension, secondary

hypertension or signs of target organ damage such as left ventricular hypertrophy or microalbuminuria.

Keywords: arterial hypertension, blood pressure, children, adolescents

Published: August 24, 2012  Show citation