Pediatric hypertension. A challenge for pediatricians

S. K. Mehta

The efforts of physicians involved in the early detection and treatment of hypertension in children and adolescents will be greatly enhanced with the recent publication of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute's Task Force on Blood Pressure Control in Children. Although little is known regarding the relationship of hypertension in childhood and later cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, such preventive efforts toward controlling hypertension should not be delayed. In addition, the availability of distribution curves in children based on repeated observations, and using phase V of Korotkoff sound for the diastolic blood pressures, would be particularly helpful during the transition period from childhood to adolescence. Prospective studies in children in areas of relatively stable population and from the different parts of the world will promote our understanding of pediatric hypertension.