Arterial hypertension in children

Purpose of review Although arterial hypertension is less common in children than in adults, there is growing concern about elevated blood pressure (BP) in children and adolescents not only because of the association of elevated values with the overweight epidemic, but also as cardiovascular functions are determined in childhood and track into adulthood. The purpose of the review is to discuss new aspects of childhood hypertension. Recent findings Guidelines advocate determining BP in children as part of routine health maintenance. This recommendation was recently subject to review by the US Preventive Services Task Force. It was concluded that evidence is insufficient to assess the benefits of this screening. In our opinion, however, assessing BP is part of any thorough physical examination. Sophisticated approaches demonstrate the role of sympathetic nervous system overdrive in the field of sympathetic cardiovascular modulation of childhood arterial hypertension. Summary Elevated BP in children is increasing in frequency and is now recognized as having relevant short-term and long-term consequences. Although efforts to address the childhood overweight epidemic may eventually reduce the number of young patients with hypertension, improved therapies for childhood hypertension also offer the potential for preventing or ameliorating early cardiovascular disease.