Does Hypertension Affect Neurocognitive Function in Children?

Children with primary hypertension had reduced performance on tests of memory, attention, and executive function compared with matched normotensive children.

Studies of the long-term consequences of childhood hypertension have often focused on cardiovascular health risks; however, recent studies suggest that hypertension may be associated with reduced cognitive function in adults. In this prospective multicenter, controlled trial, researchers compared neurocognitive function in 75 children aged 10 to 18 years with newly diagnosed, untreated primary hypertension and 75 normotensive controls matched for maternal education and body mass index. Race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status were similar in the two groups.

The hypertensive cohort had blood pressure (BP) ≥95th percentile and sustained hypertension on ambulatory BP measurement. In multivariate analysis, hypertension was independently associa…

Reviewing Author

F. Bruder Stapleton, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardCareer Physician

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Pediatric Nephrology Foundation (Chair)

F. Bruder Stapleton, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardCareer Physician

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Pediatric Nephrology Foundation (Chair)

Does Hypertension Affect Neurocognitive Function in Children?

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Reviewing Author