Community-based study IDs prevalence of HTN in children

Community-based study IDs prevalence of HTN in children
The prevalence of prehypertension and hypertension is lower than previously reported in school-based cohorts, according to a large community-based study published online Jan. 28 in Pediatrics.

(HealthDay)—The prevalence of prehypertension and hypertension is lower than previously reported in school-based cohorts, according to a large community-based study published online Jan. 28 in Pediatrics.

Noting that current prevalence estimates of hypertension in children have been based on studies conducted in school environments, Joan C. Lo, M.D., from Kaiser Permanente Northern California in Oakland, and colleagues examined the prevalence of prehypertension and hypertension among 199,513 children (aged 3 to 7 years) with considerable ethnic diversity, from three large integrated systems.

At the index visit, the researcher found that 81.9 percent of children were normotensive, 12.7 percent had prehypertension, and 5.4 percent had blood pressure within the hypertension range. Hypertension was confirmed in 3.8 percent of the 10,848 children with an index hypertensive blood pressure level who had a follow-up (estimated prevalence, 0.3 percent). Prehypertension and confirmed hypertension correlated significantly with increasing age and . The highest prevalence of hypertension was seen for blacks and Asians.

"The results from data in nearly 200,000 children suggest that in community-based practices in settings similar to those in this study, the prevalence of pediatric hypertension and may be substantially lower across a wide range of age, race/ethnicity, and adiposity status than suggested in previous studies," the authors write.

More information: Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)

Journal information: Pediatrics

Health News Copyright © 2013 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

Citation: Community-based study IDs prevalence of HTN in children (2013, January 28) retrieved 29 March 2024 from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-01-community-based-ids-prevalence-htn-children.html
This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.

Explore further

Blacks develop high blood pressure one year faster than whites

 shares

Feedback to editors