Background Secondary hypertension is the most frequent cause of high blood pressure (BP) in children, promoting the development of cardiovascular diseases and their clinical consequences. The problem is important especially in the young because of the possibility of intervention at the early stage of disease. The aim of the study was to characterize children with secondary hypertension.
Material and methods The study group consisted of 29 children, aged 8.2 ± 5.7, with diagnosed secondary hypertension. Subjective symptoms of high BP, previous treatment, birth outcomes, family history of hypertension and anthropometric data were obtained. BP was analyzed on the basis of ambulatory BP monitoring. Left ventricular structure was assessed using M-mode echocardiography. All children underwent routine blood tests and were consulted by an ophthalmologist.
Results The most frequent cause of hypertension was coarctation of the aorta (24/29) whereas the others were renal disease (2/29), renovascular disease (2/29) and steroid treatment (1/29). Familial hypertension was found in one girl. Diurnal BP was 125.7 ± 17.9 mm Hg for systolic and 70.9 ± 16.7 mm Hg for diastolic. Hypertensive abnormalities of the retinal vasculature was recognized in 5 children. Improper daily BP variability concerned 12 patients. Left ventricular mass was 76.9 ± 51.3 g and LVMI was 42.1 ± 11.7 g/m^2.7. Left ventricular hypertrophy was found in 14/26 children.
Conclusions In children, secondary hypertension is associated with marked improper daily BP profile. Retinopathy and left ventricular hypertrophy are frequent in children with secondary hypertension.