Secondary Hypertension in Children

Hypertension is children is typically rare, but according to the American Family Physician, incidence of hypertension in children is increasing. Secondary hypertension is high blood pressure that occurs as the result of an underlying medical condition.

• A child waits for medical care.

Significance

• According to parenting.org, approximately 5 percent of all children have high blood pressure. Of these, many have secondary hypertension that occurs as a result of an underlying condition of disease.

Causes

• Secondary hypertension may occur as a result of certain medical conditions, such as kidney diseases, endocrine system disorders such as hypothyroidism, abnormalities of the blood vessels and obesity. According to the American Family Physician, the most common cause of secondary hypertension in children is kidney disease.

Identification

• Blood pressure is measured annually at routine doctor visits. Blood pressure readings greater than 120/80 are considered to be too high. Children with serious medical conditions will probably be monitored often for indications of secondary hypertension.

Symptoms

• Secondary hypertension often occurs suddenly. Symptoms of hypertension may include dizziness, headache, fatigue and vision problems. Many children will not have any symptoms of hypertension, though. Complications of untreated and prolonged secondary hypertension may include artery damage, heart failure and aneurysms.

Treatment

• Initially, hypertension in children may be carefully monitored, but not treated with medications. Severe or prolonged hypertension may be treated with medications that lower blood pressure. Treatment also will involve treating underlying conditions.