Guidelines for screening and managing hypertension in children

Pediatric hypertension has risen to an overall prevalence of 16.3%. If left untreated, hypertension in children and adolescents can have significant implications for cardiovascular and renal health into adulthood, including stroke, coronary artery disease, kidney disease, and heart failure. In 2017, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) released updated guidelines for the screening, evaluation, and management of pediatric hypertension. This article reviews the definition of pediatric hypertension, describes why the guidelines were updated, and defines treatment protocol. By familiarizing themselves with and applying these guidelines, clinicians will be able to appropriately screen and manage hypertension in children to prevent morbidity into adulthood.