Hypertension in children and adolescents

See also Online paediatric BP centile calculatorBP by age and height centile tables: boysgirls Key points Severe hypertension requires urgent consultation and management. Hypertension associated with encephalopathy is a medical emergencyAll hypertension in children requires monitoring and follow-upBlood pressure should be measured annually in healthy children Where possible, abnormal machine BP measurement should be confirmed, preferably with a manual BP, ensuring appropriately sized cuff is used for accurate measurement BackgroundThis guideline will focus on the paediatric population aged 1–17 years (not infants)Hypertension in childhood is a key predictor of risk for hypertension, cardiovascular disease and end organ damage in adulthood Primary/essential hypertension accounts for the majority of hypertension in children >6 years old and is generally associated with obesity or a family history of hypertension Secondary hypertension is more common in younger children (<6 years old) wit...