HYPERTENSION IN CHILDREN Maria E. de Ferris, MD, MPH, PhD Associate Professor UNC Medical School
Jan 16, 2016
HYPERTENSIONIN CHILDREN
Maria E. de Ferris, MD, MPH, PhD
Associate Professor
UNC Medical School
HTN in Children
• Task Force on Blood Pressure Control in Children– 1977– 1987– Revised in 1996 and 2004
• Epidemiological-based data– >70,000 children used to define standards– Categorized by Gender/Age/Height
Definitions
• Normal– <90th percentile
• High-normal– 90-95th percentile
• Hypertension– >95th percentile on three consecutive measurements
– This presumes 5% prevalence of hypertension in pediatric population
**Tables in Harriet Lane**
Daniels J Peds 1996: 125:208; Harshfield AJH 2002 15:525
BP Racial Differences
• AA children have higher readings than other races but not clinically relevant (in girls their stage of maturation is different)
• Not different when controlled for their height and skin folding
• AA have sympathetic tone, dopamine Hydrolyase, glucose, renin & heart rate
periph. resistance, insulin & Na intol
Genetic/Environmental Factors
• Familial prevalence
• dietary Na, K, Ca
• Unlike adults, children do not respond to dietary changes
• Among adolescents, females respond better to Na diet
Mutner2004 JAMA 291(17):2007; Williams 1992 AJPH 82:358
Weight and BP
• A direct relationship has been found between weight and BP at as early as 5 years of age
• This is more prominent at the second decade of life
• Between 13-17% of adolescents are obese and in more recent studies up to 30%
Prevalence of Hypertension
• About 25% of the adult population in the US has HTN
• In children 90% is secondary HTN
• In adults 90% is essential HTN
• Direct relationship exists between weight and BP
Accurate Measurement• Use Right arm• Sphygmomanometer device
– Oscillometric in < 3yo – Auscultative method with manual sphygmomanometer
• Cuff size– Too small = falsely high– Too large = falsely low– Width of cuff = 2/3 shoulderelbow
• Inflate cuff 20-30 mm Hg above the point at which the radial pulse disappears.
• Korotkoff Sounds– Now use 5th phase for all aged infants/children
CV Effects of HTN
• It accelerates Coronary artery disease
• Risk factor for CVA, heart and renal failure
• Direct correlation of LV measurement and HTN
Ambulatory Blood Pressure Measurement
• 24 hr. ABPM is used in many centers for adults and now children BP monitoring
• Better than a ‘snap shot’ or single measurement
• Detects circadian rhythms
• Different in Txp patients “non-dippers”
Etiology of Pediatric HTN
• Spurious- inappropriate cuff, apprehension
• Renal- renal parenchymal dz, acute GN, renal artery stenosis, renal vein thrombosis, pyelonephritis, HSP, HUS, stones, polycystic kidney dz
• Cardiovascular- coarctation of the aorta, PDA, AV fistula
• Endocrine- Hyperthyroidism, CAH, Cushing syn, Pheochromocytoma, Conn syndrome
Etiology of Pediatric HTN (2)
• CNS- ICP, Guillain-Barre,
• Drugs- Sympathomimetics, steroids, cocaine & licorice
• Neoplasm- Wilms Tumor, neuroblastoma
• Collagen vascular/autoimmune• Immobilization/Traction• Malignant Hyperthermia
Diff Dx. Of HTN: Newborn
• Renal Artery Stenosis or Thrombosis
• Renal Vein Thrombosis
• Congential Anomalies
• Coarctation of the Aorta
• BPD, PDA less common IVH
Dif. Dx. of HTN: Infancy
• Coarctation of the aorta
• Renovascular disease
• Renal parenchymal disease
Dif. Dx. Of HTN: 1-6 years
• Renal Parenchymal disease
• Renovascular disease
• Coarctation of the Aorta
• Endocrine causes (less common)
• Essential HTN (less common)
Dif. Dx. of HTN: 6-12 years
• Renal Parenchymal disease
• Renovascular disease
• Coarctation of the Aorta
• Endocrine causes (less common)
• Essential HTN (less common)
• Iatrogenic (less common)
Dif. Dx. of HTN: 12-18 years
• Essential HTN
• Iatrogenic
• Renal Parenchymal disease
• Renovascular disease (less common)
• Coarctation of the Aorta (less common)
• Endocrine causes (less common)
Causes of Pediatric HTN• Neonates
– Renal, renal, renal!• Renal artery thrombosis• Renal artery stenosis• Congenital renal malformations
– Coarctation of the aorta– BPD
• Infants to 10 y.o.a.– Renal, renal, renal!
• Renal artery stenosis• Renal parenchymal disease
– Coarctation
• 11y.o.a to adolescence – Renal parenchymal disease– Primary (essential) hypertension (on the rise!)
Hypertensive Crises
• Hypertensive Emergency:• BP greater than 99th percentile with evidence of end
organ damage– Encephalopathy, Infarction, Cerebral hemorrhage,
Myocardial ischemia
• Hypertensive Urgency:• BP greater than 99th percentile without evidence of
end organ damage
Evaluation of HTN: History
• NB period (UAC, BPD), growth pattern, use of medications (cold, contraceptives)
• Urological or renal disorders
• Endocrine (sweat, wt. loss, palpitations, fevers, muscle cramps & weakness
• Family Hx
Evaluation of HTN: PE
• Fundoscopy (papilledema, hemorrhage)• Thyroid exam• Evidence of heart failure (gallop, hepatomegaly,
edema), check 4 extremity BP & Femoral pulses• Abdominal exam (masses, bruit)• GU exam (virilization)• Neurologic exam (including visual acuity)
Evaluation of HTN: PE (2)
• Neurofibromas, café-au-lait spots, tuberous sclerosis, moon fascies, buffalo hump, hirsutism, rashes
• Enlarged kidneys, abdominal masses
• Chromosomal abnormalities (Turner, Williams, Von Hippel-Lindau)
Diagnostic Evaluation
• Urinalysis (protein, blood)
• Electrolytes• BUN/Cr• CBC• EKG• Renal US
Consider:• TSH• Head CT• Echocardiogram• Renin level• Urine VMA, HVA• Urine drug screen
Evidence of End Organ Damage
• Headache• Vision changes• Altered mental status
(lethargy)
• Vomiting• Epistaxis
• Papilledema• Retinal hemorrhages• Cranial nerve palsy• Paralysis• Left Vent. H • Heart failure
HTN Evaluation Phase 1
• CBC, UA, Urine C&S (PRN)
• SMAC 12, lipid panel
• Renal US
• Heart Echocardiogram
HTN Evaluation Phase 2
• Renal Scan (with ACE inhibitor?)
• Urine cathecolamines
• Plasma and urinary steroids
HTN Evaluation Phase 3
• Renal Artery Imaging or renal vein sampling
• Caval sampling for cathecolamines
• Scan of adrenals
Goals of BP control
• Do NOT decrease BP to normal levels because of hypo-perfusion
• Aim of treatment should be 25-30% reduction (may need to decrease further if still symptomatic)
• The goal is to achieve BP levels bellow the 95th
(at the 50th) percentile for age and to prevent long term effects
• Lower BP slower in patients with chronic rather than acute hypertension (look at EKG/ECHO)
Management
• Rule out hypertension secondary to elevated intracranial pressure before lowering BP
• Lowering BP too fast can cause hypotension, poor cerebral perfusion causing permanent neurologic damage including vision loss, myocardial ischemia, renal hypoperfusion and ATN
• Non-pharmacological means: diet, exercise
HTN Rx: Diuretics
• HCTZ - Decreases morbi/mortality
• They do not work well if GFR < 30 ml/min
• Most effective in combination w/other agents even at low doses
• Caution: DM2, gout & cardiac arrhythmias
• Used more for adult care
HTN Rx: -Blockers
• Selective -Blockers (prazosin, terazosin) block post-synaptic receptors, relax vascular smooth muscles and vascular resistance
• Better at bedtime
• Side effects: BP (syncope w/1st dose), exacerbates incontinence
-Blockers are used in:
• DM• Lipid abnormalities• Symptomatic benign
prostate hypertrophy
• Non-selective HTN -Blockers (phentolamine and phenoxybenzamine) are used in pheochromocytoma
Direct-Acting Vasodilators
• Hydralazine & Minoxidil produce direct arterial vasodilation
• Reflex tachycardia & fluid retention
• May induce lupus-like syndrome (+ANA)
• Nitroprusside for emergencies but check thyocyanide levels in 3 days
Hydralazine
• Vasodilator, arteriole
• Dose: 0.1-0.5 mg/kg/dose IV, may be repeated two times if no response, otherwise q 4-6hrs
• Onset: 5-20 min
• Half life: 2-6 hrs
• Disadvantages: SLE-like syndrome, reflex tachycardia, flushing, worsens angina
• DIAZOXIDE is similar in profile
Clonidine• Centrally acting α2 agonist
– Reduces cardiac output and peripheral resistance
• Dose: 1-2.5mcg/kg/dose PO q 6 hrs
• Onset: rapid (minutes)
• Half life: up to 12 hrs
• Advantages: Emergency Rx, ease of administration (PO) and can transition to long term therapy
• Disadvantages: side effects (sedation, dry mouth, dizziness, postural hypotension), rebound hypertension after abrupt withdrawal in chronic use
Nitroprusside
• Vasodilator, venous and arterial• Dose: 0.5-8 mcg/kg/min
• Onset: instantaneous
• Half life: 10 min, thiocyanate 3-7 days
• Advantages: Instantaneous onset and able to be titrated quickly
• Disadvantages: Decreases preload and afterload and causes reflex tachycardia, photo degradation (cover in foil), metabolized to cyanide then thiocyanate (renally excreted and can cause nausea, vomiting, hallucinations, metabolic acidosis)
-Blockers
• Decrease cardiac contractility, renin release and central sympathetic outflow
• Good choice with CAHD, atrial fib, SVT, migraine, hyperthyroidism and pro-op HTN
• Shown to morbi/mortality• Depression, sleep disturbance, impotence and
exercise tolerance (less severe w/ -1 selective blockers
-Blockers Should be avoided in:
• Asthma • COPD • 2nd and 3rd. degree
heart block • Sick sinus syndrome
• Moderate LV dysfunction
• IDDM• Peripheral Vascular
Disease
Labetolol• Combined β and α blocker (approx 10-15% α)
– Reduces cardiac output, some peripheral vasodilatation
• Dose: 0.2-1mg/kg IV bolus or 0.25-3mg/kg/hr drip
• Onset: 5-10 min
• Half life: 5 hrs
• Advantages: used in renal disease, can be given in frequent boluses, no adverse effect on ICP or hypoxic VQ mismatch.
• Disadvantages: not as potent as nicardipine & nitroprusside, not well studied in children, contra-indicated in asthma and decreased left ventricular function.
Ca-Channel Blockers
• Inhibit the movement of Ca ions from plasma into the cell through voltage-dependent Ca Channels, leading to vasodilation and low BP
• Verapamil and diltiazem peripheral resistance w/significant inotropic effects, slowing AV conductionCHF in LVH
Ca-Channel Blockers:
• Short acting not used in Chronic Rx
• Sublingual nifedipine may cause MI
• Good choice for elderly, AA & angina pats
• Avoid in WPW Syndrome
Nicardipine
• Calcium channel blocker
• Dose: 1-5 mcg/kg/min, bolus 0.03mg/kg
• Onset: rapid (1-2 min)
• Half life: 40 min
• Advantages: fairly even drop of BP, hypotension unusual, reversible with Ca++
• Disadvantages: may increase ICP
Nifedipine
• Class II Calcium Channel Blocker
• Arguably the most studied drug for pediatric hypertension– 1995 moratorium placed on sublingual fast-
acting use in adults– Hypotension-related myocardial ischemia
• Not FDA approved for hypertension
Nifedipine• Calcium Channel Blocker
– Peripheral arteriolar dilation
• Dose: 0.25-0.5mg/kg q 4-6 hrs po/SL
• Onset: 5-10 min, peak 30-60 min
• Half life: 3-4 hrs
• Advantages: can improve GFR and renal plasma flow, ease of administration, rapid onset, very effective (even in long-standing or severe hypertension)
• Disadvantages: unpredictable drop in blood pressure, reflex tachycardia & cardiac output, metabolized by cytochrome P450 system
ACE-Inhibitors
• Inhibit angiotensin converting enzyme (AI to AII does not take place)
• Appropriate first line of Rx for DM, heart failure, low ejection Fx and post-MI
• Diuretics can enhance action
ACE-Inhibitors
• NEVER USE IN PREGNANT WOMEN
• Never used if bil. renal artery stenosis
• Cough 5-20% (related to bradykinin level)
• Caution with renal impairment
• May be used in Txp patients
Angiotensin-II Receptor Antagonists
• Similar effects as an ACE inhibitor
• Less cough as they do not bradykinin
• Some cases of angioneurotic edema reported
HTN Complications
• Retinal Involvement
• I and II changes (arteriolar narrowing, A-V nicking & copper wiring) = Chronic HTN
• III and IV (rupture of vessels. Hgs. And exudates, optic disk edema) = accelerated or malignant HTN.
• May resolve w/BP control
Coronary Artery Disease
• HTN increases hemodynamics
• Regression of LVH improves CHF
• HTN leads to CAD due to LVH
• Rx of HTN alone does not resolve it
Hypertension
Hyperlipidemia
Physicalinactivity
CARDIOVASCULAR RISK INKIDNEY PATIENTS
Smoking
Diabetes
Homocysteinemia
Periodontaldisease
Renal Involvement
• HTN is the cause of renal failure in 33% of patients
• Renal involvement is more frequent in AA or the elderly
Cerebrovascular Involvement
• The main Cx. Of HTN is thrombotic rather than hemorrhagic
• Endothelial damage, abnl. Levels of hemostatic factors and abnormal blood flow is seen in HTN
UNC HTN Trials
• Ramipril: Ages 6-16 Outpatient
• Olmesartan: Ages 1-16 Outpatient
• IV Nicardipine: Ages 2-16 GCRC Study
• Barbara Gordon and John Bryson: Nurse coordinators
• CALL US!
Sources
• 4th Report on HTN: http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/114/2/S2/555
• Sinaiko. Hypertension in Children. NEJM 1996; 335(26)1968-73.
• Temple, Nahata. Treatment of Pediatric Hypertension. Pharmacotherapy 2000; 20(2)140-50.
• Groshong. Hypertensive Crisis in Children. Pediatric Annals 1996; 25(7)368-76.
• www.nhlbi.nih.gov
Other Sources• Egger, Deming, Hamada, Perkin, Sahney. Evaluation of the safety of short-acting
nifedipine in children with hypertension. Pediatr Nephrol (2002)17:35-40.• Blaszak, Savage, Ellis. The use of short-acting nifedipine in pediatric patients with
hypertension. J Peds 2001; 139(1)34-37.• Flynn, Mottes, Brophy, Kershaw, Smoyer, Bunchman. Intravenous nicardipine for
treatment of severe hypertension in children. J Peds 2001;139(1)38-41.• Michael, Groshong, Tobias. Nicardipine for hypertensive emergencies in children
with renal disease. Pediatri Nephrol (1998)12:40-42.• Varon, Marik. The Diagnosis and Management of Hypertensive Crises. Chest
2000; 118(1) 214-27.• Calhoun, Oparil. Treatment of Hypertensive Crisis. NEJM. 1990;323:1177-1183• Deal, Barratt, Dillon. Management of Hypertensive Emergencies. Arch Dis Child.
1992;667:1089-1092