Introduction: Pediatric hypertension (HTN) is a growing problem worldwide that can be attributed to various risk factors, including the upward trend in obesity and poor lifestyle choices.Methods: Pediatric HTN will eventually lead to adult HTN and cardiovascular disease.There is concern that HTN in children and adolescents is often underdiagnosed.Results: This presentation highlights important risk factors and chronic conditions associated with HTN along with complications such as end organ damage and cardiovascular disease.This presentation also outlines diagnostic evaluations and step-wise treatment options, including nonpharmacological interventions such as lifestyle modifications as well as medical management based on the most recent American Academy of Pediatrics Clinical Practice Guidelines.These pediatric hypertension guidelines are an update to the 2004 "Fourth Report on the Diagnosis, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure in Children and Adolescents".These guidelines include 30 Key Action Statements and 27 additional recommendations derived from a comprehensive review of almost 15 000 published articles between January 2004 and July 2016.Each Key Action Statement includes level of evidence, benefit-harm relationship, and strength of recommendation.Conclusion: This clinical practice guideline is intended to foster a patient-and family-centered approach to care, reduce unnecessary and costly medical interventions, improve patient diagnoses and outcomes, support implementation, and provide direction for future research.I have no potential conflict of interest to disclose.I did not use generative AI and AI-assisted technologies in the writing process.
Shahid et al. (Wed,) studied this question.