Current Approaches to Arterial Hypertension Management in Children and Adolescents: Clinical Guidelines Review

Abstract

The prevalence of arterial hypertension (AH) in children and adolescents is increasing, thus it is crucial and topical to make pediatricians familiar with modern approaches in drug and drug-free therapy for AH. The aim of this review was to provide the overview of international and Russian guidelines for the AH treatment. We have searched the following keywords in PubMed: guidelines, arterial hypertension treatment, guidelines of management, pediatric hypertension. Reviews, clinical guidelines, and original articles published from 2010 to 2020 were analyzed. Detailed description of AH management in children and adolescents is presented. Approaches to drug-free correction of increased blood pressure (BP) are discussed in detail, indications for antihypertensive therapy are described, characteristics of the main classes of antihypertensive drugs are given (indications, contraindications, and possible side effects). Principles of refractory AH management and antihypertensive drugs combinations are also described.