Persistent hypertension in Thai children.

ABSTRACT

We reviewed the records of 36 children with persistent hypertension who were admitted to the Department of Paediatrics, Siriraj Hospital between 1987 and 1993. The male to female ratio was 1.41, and mean age at diagnosis was 7.6 years. The cause of hypertension in 16 children (44.44 percent) was renal parenchymal disease, while four children (11.11 percent) had renovascular disease, five chil-dren (13.9 percent) had cardiovascular disease and eight children (22 percent) had primary hypertension. Miscellaneous causes were found in three (one adrenal gland tumor, one Wilms’ tumor and one unknown). Hypertension was controlled by medication alone in 70 oercent and combined medical and surgical treatment in 20 percent of patients. Hydralazine, furosemide and propranolol were most common drugs used. Five patients had hypertensive crises. Five patients (13.9 percent) died; the cauese of death were multifactorial and were not directly related to hypertension.