Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring in school children with a history of extreme prematurity

Introduction: Extremely premature children have a higher incidence of High Blood Pressure (HBP) and risk of renal damage due to decreased glomerular count with consequent hyperfiltration of the remnants. Objectives: To assess the prevalence of altered blood pressure values in outpatient measurement and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) in preterm infants <32 weeks and/or <1,500 g birth weight between 5 and 7 years of age, as well as the presence of early renal damage markers. Patients and Methods: An isolated measurement of blood pressure, ABPM and laboratory tests (microalbuminuria/creatininuria ratio in an isolated urine sample, serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen and urinalysis) were performed. Results: 30 patients were recruited, of whom valid measurements of ABPM were obtained in 19 cases, of which nine (47,4%) presented some abnormalities, principally nocturnal day/night difference or DIP absent. No abnormal laboratory tests were found. Discussion: Our study detected a high prevalence of abnormalities in ABPM principally DIP absence, which has been related to an increased risk of progression to hypertension. The importance of performing ABPM in the study is emphasized in patients with risk factors for developing hypertension in order to detect early alterations and close management and follow-up.