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Epidemiology of Essential Hypertension in Children

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Pediatric Hypertension

Part of the book series: Clinical Hypertension and Vascular Diseases ((CHVD))

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Abstract

Essential (primary) hypertension is detectable in children and adolescents and, as in adults, is associated with a positive family history of hypertension, obesity, and lifestyle factors. Blood pressure (BP) levels and the prevalence of hypertension in children and adolescents have increased, largely due to the childhood obesity epidemic. The prevalence of primary hypertension in childhood is estimated to be approximately 3.5 %, and the prevalence of prehypertension in childhood is approximately 3.5 % with higher rates among adolescents. Although adverse outcomes of death and cardiovascular disability are rare in hypertensive children, intermediate markers of target organ damage such as left ventricular hypertrophy, thickening of carotid vessel wall, retinal vascular changes, and subtle cognitive changes are detectable in children and adolescents with high BP. Considering the rates of verified hypertension in asymptomatic children and adolescents, high BP is a common chronic health problem in childhood.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departments of Medicine and Pediatrics, Thomas Jefferson University, 833 Chestnut Street, Suite 700, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, USA

    Bonita Falkner M.D.

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  1. Bonita Falkner M.D.
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Correspondence to Bonita Falkner M.D. .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Washington, Division of Pediatrics, Seattle Children's Hospital, Sand Point Way NE. 4800, Seattle, 98105, Washington, USA

    Joseph T. Flynn

  2. Harvard Medical School, Pediatric Nephrology Unit, MassGeneral Hospital for Children at MGH, Fruit St. 55, Boston, 02114, Massachusetts, USA

    Julie R. Ingelfinger

  3. Global Clinical Research, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Route 206 & Provinceline Road, Princeton, 08543, New Jersey, USA

    Ronald J. Portman

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Falkner, B. (2013). Epidemiology of Essential Hypertension in Children. In: Flynn, J., Ingelfinger, J., Portman, R. (eds) Pediatric Hypertension. Clinical Hypertension and Vascular Diseases. Humana Press, Totowa, NJ. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-62703-490-6_12

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-62703-490-6_12

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  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, Totowa, NJ

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-62703-489-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-62703-490-6

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