Skip to main content

Hypertension, Pediatric

Stephanie Nguyen, MD, MAS Reviewed 10/2018
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

  • Hypertension: average systolic and/or diastolic blood pressure (BP) at or above the 95th percentile for age, gender, and height percentile or ≥130/80 mm Hg in adolescents ≥13 years o...

DIAGNOSIS

  • Hypertensive emergency: severely elevated BP with evidence of target organ injury (encephalopathy, seizures, renal damage)

  • Hypertensive urgency: severely elevated BP with no evidence of secon...

TREATMENT

GENERAL MEASURES

  • If BP is >95th percentile, it should be repeated on two more occasions.

  • If BP is >99th percentile plus 5 mm Hg, prompt referral for evaluation and therapy should be made...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

Patient Monitoring

  • The reduction of BP with medication should be gradual to avoid side effects.

  • Ongoing monitoring is required for medication side effects, such as ...

ADDITIONAL READING

  • Feld LG, Corey H. Hypertension in childhood. Pediatr Rev.  2007;28(8):283–298. [View Abstract on OvidInsights]

  • McCambridge TM, Benjamin HJ, Brenner JS, et al; for Council on Spo...

CODES

ICD9

  • 401.9 Unspecified essential hypertension

  • 405.99 Other unspecified secondary hypertension

  • 405.19 Other benign secondary hypertension

  • 405.91 Unspecified renovascular hypertension

  • 405.11 Benign ren...

FAQ

  • Q: What is the value of ambulatory BP monitoring?

  • A: This device is similar to a Holter monitor and repeatedly measures BPs over a 24-hour period while the patient is awake and asleep. By reviewing...

Subscribe to Access Full Content

Sign Up for a 10-Day Free Trial

Sign up for a 10-day FREE Trial now and receive full access to all content.

×