Key result
Only 17% of pediatric hypertension is primary, with secondary forms linked to greater end-organ damage.
Why the study?
Northern Israel has a unique demographic distribution of Arab and Jewish ethnicity, prompting the description of demographic and clinical characteristics of pediatric hypertensive patients in this region.
Observational (n=479)
No
The study highlights a higher rate of secondary hypertension in northern Israel compared to literature, driven by high consanguinity rates, and emphasizes the importance of specialized pediatric nephrology referral for better guideline adherence.
Supports thorough secondary hypertension evaluation in pediatric cohorts; hypothesis-generating and leaves open generalizability beyond high-consanguinity settings.
Objectives The overall prevalence of hypertension (HTN) among Israeli Jewish adolescents was reported to be 0.4% in males and 0.074% in females. The demographic characteristics of Northern Israeli population are unique, with a nearly equal distribution of Arab and Jewish ethnicity. We describe the demographic and clinical characteristics of pediatric hypertensive patients in northern Israel. Design Data was retrospectively collected from electronic medical records (EMR) of pediatric patients aged 0-18 diagnosed with HTN at Rambam Health Care Campus between 2010-2020. Demographic characteristics, etiology, end-organ damage (EOD), and medical treatment were collected and compared between specific subgroups. Results During the study period, 479 children diagnosed with HTN were included. Mean age at diagnosis was 9.6 years. 64% were males. BMI > 85th percentile was measured in 45%. 17% were diagnosed with primary HTN. Primary HTN was more prevalent (32%) in adolescents, the majority of Jewish ancestry. Obesity prevalence was significantly higher in primary HTN patients. EOD was more common in secondary HTN, Arab-Muslim origin, consanguinity, and younger age. At follow-up, 35.8% were without antihypertensive medications. Calcium channel blockers were the most frequently prescribed anti-hypertensives. Conclusions Higher rates of secondary HTN than reported in the literature were attributed to high consanguinity and resulted in extensive diagnostic procedures across all age groups, unlike AAP guidelines recommendations. Better adherence to guideline recommendations was demonstrated in patients referred to the pediatric nephrology institute, highlighting the importance of referral of HTN patients to specialized clinics.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Weiss et al. (2025) conducted an observational in Pediatric hypertension (n=479). Secondary hypertension vs. Primary hypertension was evaluated on Prevalence of primary vs secondary hypertension and end-organ damage. In a northern Israeli pediatric cohort, only 17% of patients had primary hypertension, with secondary hypertension being highly prevalent and associated with greater end-organ damage.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: