Hypertension in children and adolescents

In children and adolescents, the normal range of blood pressure (BP) is determined by body size and age. Hypertension is defined as average systolic BP or diastolic BP at or above the 95th percentile for the gender, age and height in question. The possibility that some underlying disorder may be the cause of the hypertension should be considered in every child or adolescent who has elevated BP. Primary hypertension in children or adolescents is only an elimination diagnosis. All classes of antihypertensive drugs have been shown to lower BP in children and adolescents. The choice of drug for initial antihypertensive therapy resides in the preference of the treating physician.