Hypertension in children: an overview.

Hypertension in children is an increasing concern for health care professionals. Updated guidelines for the treatment of hypertension in children and adolescents were published in 2004. This report reviews the epidemiology and management of pediatric hypertension and suggests an oral health protocol to apply to hypertensive children in the dental setting. A web search was performed using Medline, PubMed, ISI Citation Index, and Cochrane evidence-based databases for articles regarding hypertension in children published in English between 1998 and 2004. Relevant articles describing the epidemiology, classification, pathophysiology, and management of pediatric hypertension are discussed, and recommendations for dental treatment of pediatric patients are suggested. The incidence of pediatric hypertension can reach 5 percent. Data on the prevalence of pediatric hypertension in the dental setting is scarce. However, using the prevalence in the general population, at least fifty young patients will be hypertensive in a busy general or pediatric practice. Dental students and residents should have the opportunity to screen for hypertension during their training and familiarize themselves with the appropriate techniques in children. Oral health professionals should become aware of the implications of hypertension in children.