High blood pressure in children

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Causes

By Mayo Clinic staff

High blood pressure in younger children is often related to other health conditions such as heart defects, kidney disease, genetic conditions or hormonal disorders. In older children — especially those who are overweight — the precise cause of high blood pressure is often unknown.

References
  1. Matoo TK. Definition and diagnosis of hypertension in children and adolescents. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed May 5, 2010.
  2. High blood pressure in children. American Heart Association. http://www.americanheart.org/print_presenter.jhtml?identifier=214. Accessed May 10, 2010.
  3. Luma GB, et al. Hypertension in children and adolescents. American Family Physician. 2006;73:1158.
  4. What are the signs and symptoms of high blood pressure? The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/Hbp/HBP_SignsAndSymptoms.html. Accessed May 10, 2010.
  5. Hypertensive emergencies. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/print/sec07/ch071/ch071c.html. Accessed May 10, 2010.
  6. National High Blood Pressure Education Program Working Group on High Blood Pressure in Children and Adolescents. The Fourth Report on the Diagnosis, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure in Children and Adolescents. Pediatrics. 2004;114:555.
  7. Anglum A. Primary care management of childhood and adolescent hypertension. Journal of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. 2009;21:529.
  8. Flynn JT. Hypertension in the young: Epidemiology, sequelae and therapy. Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation. 2009;24:370.
  9. Stergiou GS, et al. Home blood pressure monitoring in children and adolescents: A systematic review. Journal of Hypertension. 2009;27:1941.
  10. Garin EH, et al. Treatment of systemic hypertension in children and adolescents. Current Opinion in Pediatrics. 2009;21:600.
  11. Lurbe E, et al. Management of high blood pressure in children and adolescents: recommendations of the European Society of Hypertension. Journal of Hypertension. 2009;27:17.
  12. Hoecker J (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. May 11, 2010.
DS01102 Aug. 19, 2010

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