Alarming Increase in Hypertension in US Children

Clearly not alarming enough for parents to do anything about it.

The first comprehensive look at inpatient treatment for pediatric hypertension in the US over a period of 10 years, from 1997 to 2006, shows that hospitalizations for this indication almost doubled over the course of the study, and associated costs also rocketed. The report was published online June 18, 2012 in Hypertension.

Lead author Dr Cheryl L Tran (University of Michigan, Ann Arbor), a pediatric nephrologist, told heartwire the figures were "surprising and alarming. The take-home message is that the frequency of pediatric hypertension hospitalization is rising and the fraction of charges attributed to hypertension is increasing."

The frequency of pediatric hypertension hospitalization is rising, and the fraction of charges attributed to hypertension is increasing; this is surprising and alarming.

In an accompanying editorial, Dr Joshua Samuels (University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston Medical School) says Tran et al "have provided the first glimpse of the growing economic impact that hypertension in children is playing. This important study helps dispel some of the remaining myths about pediatric high blood pressure. The biggest myth is that hypertension is an adult disease with no real relevance to children."

Both Tran and colleagues and Samuels believe obesity to be one of the main underlying factors driving this rise in hypertension among children. "These significant increases in blood pressure are likely riding the wave of pediatric obesity that is spreading across America," comments Samuels.

Another consequence of nutritional child abuse.