UroToday - A study by Dr. Bonita Falkner, et al., examined the presence and persistence of the prehypertension and hypertension classifications as well as the progression of prehypertension to hypertension in pediatrics. They analyzed the data from the National Childhood Blood Pressure database to see the longitudinal blood pressure outcomes for adolescents classified after a single measurement of blood pressure. They found 8,535 for whom serial single blood pressure measurements were obtained at 2-year intervals. Subjects were stratified at initial measurement according to blood pressure status, as having normotension, prehypertension, or hypertension.

Her group found that 1,470 patients exhibited prehypertension. Of those patients, 14% of boys and 12% of girls had hypertension 2 years later. Among those diagnosed as hypertensive, 31% of boys and 26% of girls continued to exhibit hypertension. In the group that was diagnosed as hypertensive, 47% of boys and 26% of girls had blood pressure values in the prehypertensive range. For a statistical analysis they utilized regression models that showed no significant effect of race on blood pressure changes but significant effects of initial BMI and changes in BMI.

The study concluded that the rate of progression of prehypertension to hypertension was 7% per year. Prehypertension can be predictive of future hypertension and may benefit from preventive interventions, especially lifestyle changes. It seemed that both overweight and excessive weight gain contributed to progression towards hypertension.

Falkner B, Gidding SS, Portman R, Rosner B
Pediatrics. 2008 Aug;122(2):238-42
10.1542/peds.2007-2776

UroToday Medical Editor Pasquale Casale, MD

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