Context

The prevalence and rate of diagnosis of hypertension in children and adolescents are increasing. Childhood hypertension may also lead to adult hypertension. Origins of the problem have been proposed to arise from fetal and early life. Although these prevalence rates can be determined from a single measurement, hypertension management and prevention strategies are dependent on incidence rates and disease progression.1

The diagnosis of hypertension in children is complicated because normal and abnormal blood pressure values in children are a function of age, sex and height percentile. Keeping electronic medical records from an early age may be helpful, though, in addition, it is necessary to track the medical history of parents and children. Children and adolescents with stage 1 or stage 2 hypertension should …