Identification of hypertension in hospitalized children prescribed as-needed antihypertensive medication

Abstract

Imperfect measurement conditions, transient blood pressure (BP) elevation due to pain or anxiety, and heavy clinical demands complicate hypertension (HTN) diagnosis in hospitalized children, and may prevent recognition of hypertensive episodes for children prescribed as-needed (PRN) antihypertensive medication. The authors sought to describe the incidence and predictors of missed BP elevation among hospitalized children prescribed PRN antihypertensive medication at our hospital. BP data were retrospectively audited for children age 2-18 admitted in 2018 to the general ward, and prescribed PRN oral nifedipine, intravenous [IV] or oral hydralazine, or IV labetalol. Appropriate recognition of BP elevation (exceeding the parameters in the medication order) was defined as administering medication within the ordered dosing interval, administering the medication earlier than planned, or physician documentation of why HTN treatment was withheld. Mixed-effects logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with recognition of BP elevation. Fifty-six hospitalizations including 616 BP measurements were analyzed. BP elevation was appropriately recognized in 230 (37%) instances, in most of which (n = 190) the antihypertensive medication was given after excessive BP was noted. On multivariable analysis, higher systolic BP and BP elevation occurring at night were associated with increased likelihood of appropriate recognition. BP elevations are frequently missed in hospitalized children prescribed PRN antihypertensive medication. Particularly, there was low recognition of diastolic BP elevation and of systolic BP elevation close to but still exceeding the ordered threshold. Further staff education may be needed to raise awareness of lower BP thresholds for HTN in younger and smaller children.