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. 2016 Sep;107(3 Suppl 3):53–63. doi: 10.5935/abc.20160160

7th Brazilian Guideline of Arterial Hypertension: Chapter 10 - Hypertension in Children and Adolescents

MVB Malachias, V Koch, FC Colombo, ACS Silva, ICB Guimarães, PK Nogueira
PMCID: PMC5319464  PMID: 27819389

Epidemiological context and importance of hypertension in pediatrics

Arterial hypertension was identified as the major source of combined mortality and morbidity, representing 7% of global disability-adjusted life years.1 The adoption of the BP definitions and normalization of the "National High Blood Pressure Education Program" (NHBPEP) 20042 has standardized the BP classification in the pediatric population. The percentage of children and adolescents diagnosed with AH is estimated to have doubled in the past two decades. The current prevalence of AH in the pediatric population is around 3% to 5%,3-5 while that of PH reaches 10% to 15%,3,4,6,7 and such values are mainly attributed to the large increase in childhood obesity.8 The etiology of pediatric AH can be either secondary, most often associated with nephropathies, or primary, attributed to genetic causes with environmental influence, predominating in adolescents.

Pediatric AH is usually asymptomatic, but as many as 40% of hypertensive children have LVH at the initial diagnosis of AH. Although oligosymptomatic in childhood, LVH is a precursor of arrhythmias and HF in adults.9 In addition, pediatric AH is associated with the development of other changes in target organs, such as increased carotid IMT, arterial compliance reduction, and retinal arteriolar narrowing. Early diagnosis and treatment of childhood AH are associated with a lower risk for AH and for increased carotid atheromatosis in adult life.10 Therefore, periodical BP measurements in children and adolescents are recommended, even contradicting the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force's suggestion, which considers the evidence of benefits of primary AH screening in asymptomatic children and adolescents insufficient to prevent CVD in childhood or adulthood.11

Definitions and diagnosis

Definition and etiology

Children and adolescents are considered hypertensive when SBP and/or DBP are greater than or equal to the 95th percentile for age, sex and height percentile, on at least three different occasions.2 Prehypertension in children is defined as SBP/DBP ≥ the 90th percentile < the 95th percentile, and in adolescents as BP levels ≥ 120/80 mm Hg and < the 95th percentile. Stage 1 AH is considered for readings between the 95th percentile and the 99th percentile plus 5 mm Hg, while stage 2 AH, for readings > stage 1. The height percentiles can be obtained by using Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) growth charts.12 In addition, normal and high BP levels for children and adolescents are available in mobile apps, such as PA Kids and Ped(z).

In the pediatric population, WCH and MH can be diagnosed based on established normality criteria for ABPM.13

After a detailed clinical history and physical examination, children and adolescents considered hypertensive should undergo investigation. The younger the child, the greater the chance of secondary AH. Parenchymal, renovascular and obstructive nephropathies account for approximately 60-90% of the cases, and can affect all age groups (infants, children and adolescents), being more prevalent in younger children with higher BP elevations. Endocrine disorders, such as excessive mineralocorticoid, corticoid or catecholamine secretion, thyroid diseases and hypercalcemia associated with hyperparathyroidism, account for approximately 5% of secondary AH cases. Coarctation of the aorta is diagnosed in 2% of the cases, and 5% of secondary AH cases are attributed to other etiologies, such as adverse effects of vasoactive and immunosuppressive drugs, steroid abuse, central nervous system changes, and increased intracranial pressure.

Primary AH is more prevalent in overweight or obese children and adolescents with family history of AH. Currently, primary AH seems to be the most common form of AH in adolescence, being, however, a diagnosis of exclusion, and, in that population, secondary causes should be investigated whenever possible.

Diagnosis

Method for BP measurement

Measuring BP in children is recommended at every clinical assessment after the age of 3 years, abiding by the standards for BP measurement.2 Children under the age of 3 years should have their BP assessed on specific situations.2,14 For BP measurement, children should be calm and sitting for at least 5 minutes, with back supported and feet on the floor, having refrained from consuming stimulant foods and beverages. The BP should be taken at heart level on the right arm, because of the possibility of coarctation of the aorta. Table 1 shows the specific recommendations for auscultatory BP measurement in children and adolescents. Whenever BP is high on the upper limbs, SBP should be assessed on the lower limbs. Such assessment can be performed with the patient lying down, with the cuff placed on the calf, covering at least two-thirds of the knee-ankle distance. The SBP reading on the leg can be higher than that on the arm because of the distal pulse amplification phenomenon. A lower SBP reading on the leg as compared to that on the arm suggests coarctation of the aorta.

Table 1.

Specific recommendations for BP measurement in children and adolescents

• Auscultatory method.
• Use 1st Korotkoff sound for SBP, and 5th Korotkoff sound for DBP.
• When using the oscillometric device, it requires validation.
• Detection of AH by use of the oscillometric device requires confirmation with auscultation.
• Use appropriate cuff size; air bag width: 40% of arm circumference in the middle point between the acromion and olecranon, and air bag length: 80-100% of arm
circumference.
• Conditions under which children < 3 years old should have BP measured: neonatal intensive care; congenital heart diseases, kidney diseases, treatment with drugs
known to raise BP, and evidence of increased intracranial pressure.

Tables 2 and 3 show the BP percentiles by sex, age and height percentile. Figures 1 and 2 show BP values for boys and girls, respectively, from birth to the age of 1 year based on data from the Report of the Second Task Force on Blood Pressure Control in Children - 1987.15

Table 2.

Blood pressure levels for boys by age and height percentile2

  BP SBP (mm Hg) DBP (mm Hg)
Age percentile ← Percentile of Height → ← Percentile of Height →
(Year)   5th 10th 25th 50th 75th 90th 95th 5th 10th 25th 50th 75th 90th 95th
1 50th 80 81 83 85 87 88 89 34 35 36 37 38 39 39
  90th 94 95 97 99 100 102 103 49 50 51 52 53 53 54
  95th 98 99 101 -103 104 106 106 54 54 55 56 57 58 58
  99th 105 106 108 110 112 113 114 61 62 63 64 65 66 66
2 50th 84 85 87 88 90 92 92 39 40 41 42 43 44 44
  90th 97 99 100 102 104 105 106 54 55 56 57 58 58 59
  95th 101 102 104 106 108 109 110 59 59 60 61 62 63 63
  99th 109 110 111 113 115 117 117 66 67 68 69 70 71 71
3 50th 86 87 89 91 93 94 95 44 44 45 46 47 48 48
  90th 100 101 103 105 107 108 109 59 59 60 61 62 63 63
  95th 104 105 107 109 110 112 113 63 63 64 65 66 67 67
  99th 111 112 114 116 118 119 120 71 71 72 73 74 75 75
4 50th 88 89 91 93 95 96 97 47 48 49 50 51 51 52
  90th 102 103 105 107 109 110 111 62 63 64 65 66 66 67
  95th 106 107 109 111 112 114 115 66 67 68 69 70 71 71
  99th 113 114 116 118 120 121 122 74 75 76 77 78 78 79
5 50th 90 91 93 95 96 98 98 50 51 52 53 54 55 55
  90th 104 105 106 108 110 111 112 65 66 67 68 69 69 70
  95th 108 109 110 112 114 115 116 69 70 71 72 73 74 74
  99th 115 116 118 120 121 123 123 77 78 79 80 81 81 82
6 50th 91 92 94 96 98 99 100 53 53 54 55 56 57 57
  90th 105 106 108 110 111 113 113 68 68 69 70 71 72 72
  95th 109 110 112 114 115 117 117 72 72 73 74 75 76 76
  99th 116 117 119 121 123 124 125 80 80 81 82 83 84 84
7 50th 92 94 95 97 99 100 101 55 55 56 57 58 59 59
  90th 106 107 109 111 113 114 115 70 70 71 72 73 74 74
  95th 110 111 113 115 117 118 119 74 74 75 76 77 78 78
  99th 117 118 120 122 124 125 126 82 82 83 84 85 86 86
8 50th 94 95 97 99 100 102 102 56 57 58 59 60 60 61
  90th 107 109 110 112 114 115 116 71 72 72 73 74 75 76
  95th 111 112 114 116 118 119 120 75 76 77 78 79 79 80
  99th 119 120 122 123 125 127 127 83 84 85 86 87 87 88
9 50th 95 96 98 100 102 103 104 57 58 59 60 61 61 62
  90th 109 110 112 114 115 117 118 72 73 74 75 76 76 77
  95th 113 114 116 118 119 121 121 76 77 78 79 80 81 81
  99th 120 121 123 125 127 128 129 84 85 86 87 88 88 89
10 50th 97 98 100 102 103 105 106 58 59 60 61 61 62 63
  90th 111 112 114 115 117 119 119 73 73 74 75 76 77 78
  95th 115 116 117 119 121 122 123 77 78 79 80 81 81 82
  99th 122 123 125 127 128 130 130 85 86 86 88 88 89 90
11 50th 99 100 102 104 105 107 107 59 59 60 61 62 63 63
  90th 113 114 115 J17 119 120 121 74 74 75 76 77 78 78
  95th 117 118 119 121 123 124 125 78 78 79 80 81 82 82
  99th 124 125 127 129 130 132 132 86 86 87 88 89 90 90
12 50th 101 102 104 106 108 109 110 59 60 61 62 63 63 64
  90th 115 116 118 120 121 123 123 74 75 75 76 77 78 79
  95th 119 120 122 123 125 127 127 78 79 80 81 82 82 83
  99th 126 127 129 131 133 134 135 86 87 88 89 90 90 91
13 50th 104 105 106 108 110 111 112 60 60 61 62 63 64 64
  90th 117 118 120 122 124 125 126 75 75 76 77 78 79 79
  95th 121 122 124 126 128 129 130 79 79 80 81 82 83 83
  99th 128 130 131 133 135 136 137 87 87 88 89 90 91 91
14 50th 106 107 109 111 113 114 115 60 61 62 63 64 65 65
  90th 120 121 123 125 126 128 128 75 76 77 78 79 79 80
  95th 124 125 127 128 130 132 132 80 80 81 82 83 84 84
  99th 131 132 134 136 138 139 140 87 88 89 90 91 92 92
15 50th 109 110 112 113 115 117 117 61 62 63 64 65 66 66
  90th 122 124 125 127 129 130 131 76 77 78 79 80 80 81
  95th 126 127 129 131 133 134 135 81 81 82 83 84 85 85
  99th 134 135 136 138 140 142 142 88 89 90 91 92 93 93
16 50th 111 112 114 116 118 119 120 63 63 64 65 66 67 67
  90th 125 126 128 130 131 133 134 78 78 79 80 81 82 82
  95th 129 130 132 134 135 137 137 82 83 83 84 85 86 87
  99th 136 137 139 141 143 144 145 90 90 91 92 93 94 94
17 50th 114 115 116 118 120 121 122 65 66 66 67 68 69 70
  90th 127 128 130 132 134 135 136 80 80 81 82 83 84 84
  95th 131 132 134 136 138 139 140 84 85 86 87 87 88 89
  99th 139 140 141 143 145 146 147 92 93 93 94 95 96 97
Table 3.

Blood pressure levels for girls by age and height percentile2

  BP   SBP (mm Hg)     DBP (mm Hg)  
Age Percentile ← Percentile of Height → ← Percentile of Height →
(Year)   5th 10th 25th 50th 75th 90th 95th 5th 10th 25th 50th 75th 90th 95th
1 50th 83 84 85 86 88 89 90 38 39 39 40 41 41 42
  90th 97 97 98 100 101 102 103 52 53 53 54 55 55 56
  95th 100 101 102 104 105 106 107 56 57 57 58 59 59 60
  99th 108 108 109 111 112 113 114 64 64 65 65 66 67 67
2 50th 85 85 87 88 89 91 91 43 44 44 45 46 46 47
  90th 98 99 100 101 103 104 105 57 58 58 59 60 61 61
  95th 102 103 104 105 107 108 109 61 62 62 63 64 65 65
  99th 109 110 111 112 114 115 116 69 69 70 70 71 72 72
3 50th 86 87 88 89 91 92 93 47 48 48 49 50 50 51
  90th 100 100 102 103 104 106 106 61 62 62 63 64 64 65
  95th 104 104 105 107 108 109 110 65 66 66 67 68 68 69
  99th 111 111 113 114 115 116 117 73 73 74 74 75 76 76
4 50th 88 88 90 91 92 94 94 50 50 51 52 52 53 54
  90th 101 102 103 104 106 107 108 64 64 65 66 67 67 68
  95th 105 106 107 108 110 111 112 68 68 69 70 71 71 72
  99th 112 113 114 115 117 118 119 76 76 76 77 78 79 79
5 50th 89 90 91 93 94 95 96 52 53 53 54 55 55 56
  90th 103 103 105 106 107 109 109 66 67 67 68 69 69 70
  95th 107 107 108 110 111 112 113 70 71 71 72 73 73 74
  99th 114 114 116 117 118 120 120 78 78 79 79 80 81 81
6 50th 91 92 93 94 96 97 98 54 54 55 56 56 57 58
  90th 104 105 106 108 109 110 111 68 68 69 70 70 71 72
  95th 108 109 110 111 113 114 115 72 72 73 74 74 75 76
  99th 115 116 117 119 120 121 122 80 80 80 81 82 83 83
7 50th 93 93 95 96 97 99 99 55 56 56 57 58 58 59
  90th 106 107 108 109 111 112 113 69 70 70 71 72 72 73
  95th 110 111 112 113 115 116 116 73 74 74 75 76 76 77
  99th 117 118 119 120 122 123 124 81 81 82 82 83 84 84
8 50th 95 95 96 98 99 100 101 57 57 57 58 59 60 60
  90th 108 109 110 111 113 114 114 71 71 71 72 73 74 74
  95th 112 112 114 115 116 118 118 75 75 75 76 77 78 78
  99th 119 120 121 122 123 125 125 82 82 83 83 84 85 86
9 50th 96 97 98 100 101 102 103 58 58 58 59 60 61 61
  90th 110 110 112 113 114 116 116 72 72 72 73 74 75 75
  95th 114 114 115 117 118 119 120 76 76 76 77 78 79 79
  99th 121 121 123 124 125 127 127 83 83 84 84 85 86 87
10 50th 98 99 100 102 103 104 105 59 59 59 60 61 62 62
  90th 112 112 114 115 116 118 118 73 73 73 74 75 76 76
  95th 116 116 117 119 120 121 122 77 77 77 78 79 80 80
  99th 123 123 125 126 127 129 129 84 84 85 86 86 87 88
11 50th 100 101 102 103 105 106 107 60 60 60 61 62 63 63
  90th 114 114 116 117 118 119 120 74 74 74 75 76 77 77
  95th 118 118 119 -121 122 123 124 78 78 78 79 80 81 81
  99th 125 125 126 128 129 130 131 85 85 86 87 87 88 89
12 50th 102 103 104 105 107 108 109 61 61 61 62 63 64 64
  90th 116 116 117 119 120 121 122 75 75 75 76 77 78 78
  95th 119 120 121 123 124 125 126 79 79 79 80 81 82 82
  99th 127 127 128 130 131 132 133 86 86 87 88 88 89 90
13 50th 104 105 106 107 109 110 110 62 62 62 63 64 65 65
  90th 117 118 119 121 122 123 124 76 76 76 77 78 79 79
  95th 121 122 123 124 126 127 128 80 80 80 81 82 83 83
  99th 128 129 130 132 133 134 135 87 87 88 89 89 90 91
14 50th 106 106 107 109 110 111 112 63 63 63 64 65 66 66
  90th 119 120 121 122 124 125 125 77 77 77 78 79 80 80
  95th 123 123 125 126 127 129 129 81 81 81 82 83 84 84
  99th 130 131 132 133 135 136 136 88 88 89 90 90 91 92
15 50th 107 108 109 110 111 113 113 64 64 64 65 66 67 67
  90th 120 121 122 123 125 126 127 78 78 78 79 80 81 81
  95th 124 125 126 127 129 130 131 82 82 82 83 84 85 85
  99th 131 132 133 134 136 137 138 89 89 90 91 91 92 93
16 50th 108 108 110 111 112 114 114 64 64 65 66 66 67 68
  90th 121 122 123 124 126 127 128 78 78 79 80 81 81 82
  95th 125 126 127 128 130 131 132 82 82 83 84 85 85 86
  99th 132 133 134 135 137 138 139 90 90 90 91 92 93 93
17 50th 108 109 110 111 113 114 115 64 65 65 66 67 67 68
  90th 122 122 123 125 126 127 128 78 79 79 80 81 81 82
  95th 125 126 127 129 130 131 132 82 83 83 84 85 85 86
  99th 133 133 134 136 137 138 139 90 90 91 91 92 93 93
Figure 1.

Figure 1

Blood pressure levels for boys, from birth to the age of 1 year97

Figure 2.

Figure 2

Blood pressure levels for girls, from birth to the age of 1 year97

Note: Adolescents with BP ≥ 120/80 mm Hg should be considered prehypertensive, even if the 90th percentile value is greater than that. This can occur for SBP in patients older than 12 years, and for DBP in patients older than 16 years.

For children/adolescents, ABPM is indicated to investigate WCH and MH, and to follow prehypertensive or hypertensive patients up.13 The prevalence of WCH has been reported as between 22% and 32%. The use of ABPM should be restricted to patients with borderline or mild AH, because patients with high office BP readings are more likely to be hypertensive.16

Anamnesis

A careful recollection of data on birth, growth and development, personal antecedents, and renal, urological, endocrine, cardiac and neurological diseases should be performed. The following patterns should be characterized: physical activity; dietary intake; smoking habit and alcohol consumption; use of steroids, amphetamines, sympathomimetic drugs, tricyclic antidepressants, contraceptives and illicit substances; and sleep history, because sleep disorders are associated with AH, overweight and obesity. In addition, family antecedents for AH, kidney diseases and other CVRF should be carefully assessed.

Physical examination

On physical examination, BMI should be calculated.17 Growth delay might suggest chronic disease, and persistent tachycardia might suggest hyperthyroidism or pheochromocytoma. Pulse decrease on the lower limbs leads to the suspicion of coarctation of the aorta. Adenoid hypertrophy is associated with sleep disorders. Acantosis nigricans suggests insulin resistance and DM. Abdominal fremitus and murmurs can indicate renovascular disease.18

Complementary tests

Laboratory and imaging tests are aimed at defining the etiology of AH (primary or secondary) and detecting TOD and CVRF associated with AH (Tables 4 and 5).2,14

Table 4.

Initial investigation of children and adolescents with AH

Complete blood count
Renal function and electrolytes (including calcium, phosphorus and magnesium)
Fasting lipid panel
Plasma uric acid levels
Fasting glucose
Urinalysis and urine culture
Retinal exam
Chest X ray
ECG / Doppler echocardiography
Renal US with Doppler of renal arteries
Table 5.

Complementary tests to confirm the etiology ofsecondary AH in children and adolescents

Measurement of urine electrolytes, proteinuria and urine creatinine
Plasma levels of renin (or plasma renin activity) and aldosterone, salivary
cortisol test, PTH, TSH, free T4 and T3
Hemoglobin electrophoresis
Specific auto-antibodies: FAN, anti DNA, ANCA p, ANCA c
Urine catecholamines and metanephrines (or plasma metanephrine) and MIBG
scintigraphy

MIBG: metaiodobenzylguanidine

Target-organ assessment should be performed in all children and adolescents with stage 1 and 2 AH. Sleep study by use of polysomnography or home respiratory polygraphy is indicated for children and adolescents with sleep disorders detected on anamnesis.2 To investigate secondary AH, see Chapter 12.

Table 5 shows some tests for children and adolescents suspected of having secondary AH.

Therapeutic aspects

In children and adolescents with confirmed AH, therapeutic management is guided by the AH etiology definition, CV risk assessment, and TOD characterization.

Nonpharmacological management

Nonpharmacological management should be introduced to all pediatric patients with BP levels above the 90th percentile.2 (GR: IIa; LE: C). It includes body weight loss, a physical exercise program, and dietary intervention.2 Body weight reduction yields good results in the treatment of obese hypertensive children,19 similarly to physical exercise, which has better effect on SBP levels.19 Regular aerobic activity is recommended as follows: moderate-intensity physical exercise, 30-60 minutes/day, if possible, every day. Children with AH can practice resistance or localized training, except for weight lifting. Competitive sports are not recommended for patients with uncontrolled stage 2 AH.20 Dietary intervention can comprise sodium restriction,21 and potassium and calcium supplementation; the efficacy in that population, however, is yet to be proven.22

Pharmacological management

Pharmacological therapy should be initiated for children with symptomatic AH, secondary AH, presence of TOD, types 1 and 2 DM, CKD and persistent AH nonresponsive to nonpharmacological therapy.2 (GR: IIa; LE: B). The treatment is aimed at BP reduction below the 95th percentile in non-complicated AH, and BP reduction below the 90th percentile in both complicated AH, characterized by TOD and comorbidities (DM, CKD), and secondary AH.2 (GR: IIa; LE: C). The treatment should begin with a first-line antihypertensive agent, whose dose should be optimized, and, if target BP level is not attained, other pharmacological groups should be added in sequence. A recent systematic review23 has identified neither a randomized study assessing the efficacy of antihypertensive drugs on TOD, nor any consistent dose-response relationship with any drug class assessed.

The adverse events associated with the use of antihypertensive agents for children and adolescents have been usually of mild intensity, such as headache, dizziness, and upper respiratory tract infections. All classes of antihypertensive drugs seem safe, at least in the short run.23 The only randomized, double-blind, controlled study, by Schaefer et al., comparing the efficacy and safety of drugs of parallel groups and assessing hypertensive children on enalapril or valsartan, has shown comparable results regarding the efficacy and safety of both drugs.24

In secondary AH, the antihypertensive drug choice should be in consonance with the pathophysiological principle involved, considering the comorbidities present. For example, non-cardioselective BBs should be avoided in individuals with upper airway reactivity, because of the risk for bronchospasm.25 In pregnancy, ACEIs and ARBs are contraindicated, because of their potential for fetal malformation.26 The use of those drugs for childbearing-age girls should be always accompanied by contraceptive guidance.26,27

For renovascular AH, of ACEIs or ARBs are indicated in association with vasodilators and DIUs. In cases of coarctation of the aorta, in the preoperative period, the initial drug is usually a BB. If the AH persists postoperatively, the BB can be maintained, replaced or associated with an ACEI or ARB. For AH associated with DM and CKD, an ACEI or ARB is initially used. The use of ACEI and ARB relaxes the efferent arteriole, reducing the glomerular capillary hydrostatic pressure, and posing a risk for AKI in situations of hypovolemia. Similarly, those drugs are contraindicated for patients with bilateral renal artery stenosis.26-29 For obese adults, ACEIs, ARBs, CCBs, BBs and DIUs are effective in reducing BP.30 In adults, ACEIs and ARBs seem to reduce the risk of developing DM and to increase insulin sensitivity.31-33

Table 6 shows the updated pediatric doses of the most frequently prescribed hypotensive agents to treat CAH.2,27,28

Table 6.

Most frequently used oral drugs for management of pediatric chronic arterial hypertension2

Drug Initial dose (mg/kg/dose)   Maximum dose (mg/kg/day) Interval
Amlodipine (6-17 years) 0.1 0.5 24h
Nifedipine XL 0.25-0.5 3 (max:120 mg/day) 12-24h
Captopril
Children 0.3-0.5 6 8h
Neonate 0.03-0.15 2 8-24h
Enalapril 0.08 0.6 12-24h
Losartan 0.7 (max: 50 mg/day) 1.4 (max: 100 mg/day) 24h
Propranolol 1-2 4 (max: 640 mg/day) 8-12h
Atenolol 0.5-1 2 (max: 100 mg/day) 12-24h
Furosemide 0.5-2 6 4-12h
Hydrochlorothiazide 1 3 (max: 50 mg/day) 12h
Spironolactone 1 3.3 (max: 100 mg/day) 6-12h
Clonidine( ≥12 years) 0.2 mg/day 2.4 mg/day 12h
Prazosin 0.05-0.1 0.5 8h
Hydralazine 0.75 7.5 (max: 200 mg/day) 6h
Minoxidil      
< 12 years 0.2 50 mg/day 6-8h
≥ 12 years 5 mg/day  100 mg/day   

max: maximum; h: hour.

Hypertensive crisis

Hypertensive emergency is characterized by acute BP elevation associated with TOD, which can comprise neurological, renal, ocular and hepatic impairment or myocardial failure, and manifests as encephalopathy, convulsions, visual changes, abnormal electrocardiographic or echocardiographic findings, and renal or hepatic failure.34 Hypertensive urgency is described as BP elevation above the 99th percentile plus 5 mm Hg (stage 2), associated with less severe symptoms, in a patient at risk for progressive TOD, with no evidence of recent impairment. Oral drugs are suggested, under monitoring, with BP reduction in 24-48 hours.2 In HE, the BP reduction should occur slowly and progressively: 30% reduction in the programed amount in 6-12 hours, 30% in 24 hours, and final adjustment in 2-4 days.35 Very rapid BP reduction is contraindicated, because it leads to hypotension, failure of self-regulating mechanisms, and likelihood of cerebral and visceral ischemia.36 The HE should be treated exclusively with parenteral drugs. In Brazil, the most frequently used drug for that purpose is SNP, which is metabolized into cyanide, which can cause metabolic acidosis, mental confusion, and clinical deterioration. Thus, SNP administration for more than 24 hours requires monitoring of serum cyanide levels, especially in patients with renal failure.35,36 After patient's stabilization with SNP, an oral antihypertensive agent should be initiated, so that the SNP dose can be reduced. The use of SNP should be avoided in pregnant adolescents and patients with central nervous system hypoperfusion.

Special clinical conditions can be managed with more specific hypotensive agents for the underlying disease. Patients with catecholamine-producing tumors can be initially alpha-blocked with phenoxybenzamine, or prazosin if the former is not available, followed by the careful addition of a BB. After BP control and in the absence of kidney or heart dysfunction, a sodium-rich diet is suggested to expand blood volume, usually reduced by the excess of catecholamines, favoring postoperative BP management and reducing the chance of hypotension. An IV short-acting antihypertensive drug should be used for intraoperative BP control. Furosemide is the first-choice drug for HC caused by fluid overload, for example, in patients with kidney disease, such as acute glomerulonephritis. In case of oliguria/anuria, other antihypertensive drugs can be used concomitantly, and dialysis might be necessary for blood volume control. Arterial hypertension associated with the use of cocaine or amphetamines can be treated with lorazepam or other benzodiazepine, which is usually effective to control restlessness and AH. In the presence of a HE, phentolamine, if available, is the drug of choice, and should be used in combination with lorazepam.37

Table 7 shows the most frequently used drugs in pediatric HE.38,39

Table 7.

Major pediatric drugs and doses used to control hypertensive emergency2,95,96

Drug Route Dose Action beginning Duration
Sodium nitroprusside IV 0.5-10µg/kg/min Seconds Only during infusion
Labetalol IV 0.25-3 mg/kg/h or Bolus: 0.2-1 mg/kg followed by infusion: 0.25-3 mg/kg/h 2-5 min 2-4 h
Nicardipine IV 1-3µg/kg/min 2-5 min 30 min-4 h, the greater, the longer the use
Hydralazine IV
IM
Bolus: 0.2-0.6 mg/kg IV,  IM, max = 20 mg 10-30 min 4-12 h
Esmolol IV Attack: 100-500µg/kg followed by infusion: 50-300µg/kg/min Seconds 10-30 min
Phentolamine IV Bolus: 0.05-0.1 mg/kg, max = 5 mg/dose Seconds 15-30 min

IV: intravenous; IM: intramuscular; min: minute; h: hour.

90th percentile

SBP 87 101 106 106 106 106 106 106 106 106 106 106 106
DBP 68 66 63 63 63 66 66 67 68 68 69 69 69
Height (cm) 51 59 63 66 68 70 72 73 74 76 77 78 80
Weight (kg) 4 4 5 5 6 7 8 9 9 10 10 11 11

Source: Report of the Second Task Force on Blood Pressure Control in Children - 1987. Task Force on Blood Pressure Control in Children. National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, Bethesda, Maryland. Pediatrics 1987;79(1):1-25.

90th percentile

SBP 76 96 101 104 105 106 106 106 106 106 106 106 106
DBP 68 66 64 64 65 66 66 66 66 67 67 67 67
Height (cm) 54 56 56 56 61 63 66 68 70 72 74 75 77
Weight (kg) 4 4 4 5 5 6 7 8 9 9 10 10 11

Source: Report of the Second Task Force on Blood Pressure Control in Children - 1987. Task Force on Blood Pressure Control in Children. National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, Bethesda, Maryland. Pediatrics 1987;79(1):1-25.

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