Pediatric hypertension

Abstract

The prevalence of hypertension in pediatrics is a serious topic that has continued to gain exposure among the healthcare community. Many conversations about the health status of the American population, particularly the growing concern surrounding trends in obesity, have brought new focus to the prevalence of hypertension in children. As a result, healthcare practitioners, principally pharmacists, must be adequately prepared to engage with and assist other members of the healthcare team in this realm. The article summarizes information pertinent to facilitating clinical recommendations regarding the safe and effective use of the treatment options available for this special population. Pediatric hypertension (HTN) has become a growing problem over the past decade. It is estimated that 3% to 5% of the pediatric population is currently affected.1 The steady increase in the occurrence of HTN within pediatric patients has been associated with childhood obesity, the advancement in diagnosing childhood HTN, and the implementation of a national databank established by the National High Blood Pressure Education Program (NHBPEP) Working Group on Children and Adolescents.1-4 The development of HTN among pediatric patients raises several concerns for healthcare providers. These concerns focus on an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD) as well as on risk associated with developing sustained HTN in early adulthood patients.4,5 The following summarizes recommendations for consideration by pharmacy practitioners as they engage in the treatment of children who may be battling HTN.