Blood pressure studies in paediatric populations: metabolic syndrome in hypertensive children and adolescents

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to outline our studies and observations regarding the prevalence of high blood pressure values in paediatric and juvenile populations, the early response of the left ventricle (left ventricular mass and septal and parietal wall thickness) to elevated blood pressure, the presence of a metabolic syndrome in children and adolescents with high blood pressure values, and the influence of this latter finding in the management and treatment of paediatric and juvenile hypertension.