Hypertension in Children: Diagnosis and Treatment

Over the past two decades, there has been increasing interest in childhood hypertension and greater recognition that adult cardiovascular disease has its origins in childhood. Fueling this interest has been the childhood obesity epidemic, which has led to an increase in the prevalence of hypertension and its consequences in the young. This chapter will discuss some of the recent advances in pediatric hypertension, with a focus on the importance of correctly identifying and treating hypertensive children and adolescents. Selected special topics in childhood hypertension, including hypertension in children with chronic kidney disease, and management of acute severe hypertension will be briefly reviewed.