Detecting and Managing Childhood Onset Hypertension in Africa: A Call to Action

Abstract

Purpose of review: To review recent evidence on childhood hypertension across Africa, identifying knowledge gaps, challenges and priorities, and highlight clinical perspectives in managing primary hypertension.

Recent findings: Only 15 of the 54 African countries reported on absolute blood pressure (BP) measures, elevated BP, pre- and/or hypertension. The reported hypertension prevalence ranged between 0.0 and 38.9%, while elevated BP and/or pre-hypertnesion ranged from 2.7 to 50.5%. Childhood BP nomograms are lacking across Africa and the rates of hypertension were based on guidelines developed in countries with the lowest to no number of children from African ancestry. The recent studies across Africa also showed little to no detail when reporting BP specific methodology. No recent data informing the use or effectiveness of antihypertensive agents in children and adolesents are available. Childhood hypertension is on the rise, while data from Africa remains vastly under-represented. Collaborative research, resources, and policies need to be strengthened in addressing the growing public health concern of childhood onset hypertension on this continent.

Keywords: Adolescents; Africa; Cardiovascular disease; Children; High blood pressure; Prevention; Primary hypertension.

Fig. 1

Schematic illustration of the number of studies highlighting the prevalence of hypertension, pre-hypertension and elevated blood pressure across the African continent within the last 5 years