Title:Diagnosis and Management of Endocrine Hypertension in Children and Adolescents
Volume: 26
Issue: 43
Author(s): Eleni P. Kotanidou, Styliani Giza, Vasiliki-Regina Tsinopoulou, Maria Vogiatzi and Assimina Galli-Tsinopoulou*
Affiliation:
- Second Department of Paediatrics, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, AHEPA University Hospital, Thessaloniki,Greece
Keywords:
Endocrine hypertension, paediatric, adolescents, obesity, adipose tissue, endocrine disorder.
Abstract: Hypertension in childhood and adolescence has increased in prevalence. Interest in the disease was
raised after the 2017 clinical practice guidelines of the American Academy of Paediatrics on the definition and
classification of paediatric hypertension. Among the secondary causes of paediatric hypertension, endocrine
causes are relatively rare but important due to their unique treatment options. Excess of catecholamine, glucocorticoids
and mineralocorticoids, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, hyperaldosteronism, hyperthyroidism and
other rare syndromes with specific genetic defects are endocrine disorders leading to paediatric and adolescent
hypertension. Adipose tissue is currently considered the major endocrine gland. Obesity-related hypertension
constitutes a distinct clinical entity leading to an endocrine disorder. The dramatic increase in the rates of obesity
during childhood has resulted in a rise in obesity-related hypertension among children, leading to increased
cardiovascular risk and associated increased morbidity and mortality. This review presents an overview of
pathophysiology and diagnosis of hypertension resulting from hormonal excess, as well as obesity-related hypertension
during childhood and adolescence, with a special focus on management.
