Juvenile Hypertension

Although high blood pressure is most common in adulthood, it is a rising concern among children and adolescents. In rare cases, it has even been diagnosed in infancy.

Definition

• Juvenile hypertension is defined as a blood pressure greater than that of the 95th percentile of same age, height, and gender peers.

Causes

• Juvenile hypertension is typically attributed to childhood obesity or a history of drug usage (including tobacco).

Symptoms

• There are few symptoms for this condition, aside from multiple elevated blood pressure readings.

Diagnosis

• Blood pressure can fluctuate in children normally during growth and development. In order to diagnose juvenile hypertension, there must be multiple (three or more) elevated readings over a period of time. Because this condition is generally asymptomatic, it is difficult to diagnose.

Treatment

• Juvenile hypertension can be treated through: weight management, diet modification, added physical activity (with physician approval), and antihypertensive medications.

Complications

• Damage to the heart, kidneys, and blood vessels can result if this condition is left untreated.