Two decades of arterial blood pressure assessment in children and adolescents in Poland - past and present

Abstract

This publication does not intend to summarize relevant literature or give a review of centers which are involved in studies on arterial hypertension. It is meant to show a selection of research of Arterial Blood Pressure (BP) in children and adolescents in Poland. Traditionally, Cardiologists and Nephrologists used to be particularly interested in BP since they seem to understand best the importance and need of regular BP check-ups and used arbitrary stated norms.
However, epidemiological assessment of the prevalence of arterial hypertension in children and adolescents calls for an approach that is different to the one applied to adults. The Reports by American Task Force for the Control of Arterial BP in Children represent the most important and comprehensive papers in this field.
The first clinical articles on hypertension in children and adolescents most often would deal with secondary hypertension which can be a feature in many diseases.
Currently, the subject of primary and secondary hypertension in children is talked about not only at pediatric conferences or courses but also at those on adult hypertension. The increasing occurrence of hypertension in children along with other circulatory risk factors suggest the need for the continuation of various modes of research in this field.