Analysis of 100 children with severe and persistent hypertension

Abstract

In 100 children with persistent hypertension seen over the past 51 years the commonest causes of hypertension were chronic glomerulonephritis, reflux nephropathy, coarctation of the aorta, and obstructive uropathy, accounting for some 70% of cases. 17 children have died, but in the remainder hypertension has been controlled by surgery, chronic haemodialysis, or by the use of pharmacological agents. Methyldopa was the commonest drug used, and the children appeared relatively resistant to the side effects of this and of other drugs, even when large doses were used. The improvement in the prognosis of severe hypertension in childhood indicated in this survey is largely due to the availability of chronic haemodialysis and transplantation for end-stage renal disease, but the advances in diagnostic methods and surgical techniques and the introduction of new drugs have also contributed.