New Pediatric Hypertension Guidelines Add Value for Predicting Cardiovascular Outcomes

Reclassification of children's blood pressure using 2017 AAP guideline definitions better predicted who would develop left ventricular hypertrophy as adults.

The 2017 American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) reclassification of hypertension definitions increased the number of children considered hypertensive (NEJM JW Pediatr Adolesc Med Oct 2017 and Pediatrics 2017; 140:e20171904). To determine whether the new definitions add value in predicting adult cardiovascular outcomes, investigators used data from the Bogalusa Heart Study (3940 children followed until age 19–57 years) to compare outcomes in those deemed hypertensive using the 2004 versus the 2017 definitions.

The proportion of children deemed hypertensive increased from 7% using the 2004 definitions to 11% using the 2017 definitions. A total of 329 children were reclassified upward (from normal blood pressure [BP] or prehypertension to elevate…

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)

New Pediatric Hypertension Guidelines Add Value for Predicting Cardiovascular Outcomes

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Reviewing Author