Abstract
IntroductionIn the past, Hypertension in childhood was not considered a problem but in the last few decades, it has gradually become a source of concern especially as children are known to maintain their blood pressures into adulthood. Therefore, hypertensive children are at risk of developing cardiovascular complications earlier in adulthood. In our own environment, the prevalence of hypertension in children is undocumented, hence the purpose of this study.MethodsTwo hundred children aged between 3-17 years were recruited into this study from two public schools-one primary, one secondary in a semi urban community in Uyo metropolis. The blood pressure of respondents was measured in accordance with the technique described by the 4th Task Force on Blood Pressure Control in Children. The height and weight of all eligible subjects was measured using a stadiometer and a calibrated scale respectively. Body Mass Index (BMI) was assessed for each subject and World Health Organization (WHO) charts of BMI for age and sex were used as reference standards. Waist circumference was measured according to the technique described in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.ResultsThe prevalence of hypertension and prehypertension was found to be 3.5% and 2.5% respectively in this study. Only age (OR = 1.74, p = 0.005, 95%CI = 1.186-2.566), BMI (OR = 1.54, p = <0.001, 95% CI = 1.249-1.913) and waist circumference (OR = 1.16, p = 0.002, 95%CI = 1.056-1.271) were found to significantly predict the development of high blood pressure.ConclusionThe prevalence of hypertension and prehypertension in this study was found to be low. Hypertension/prehypertension was more likely to develop with increasing age, BMI and waist circumference.
Highlights
In the past, Hypertension in childhood was not considered a problem but in the last few decades, it has gradually become a source of concern especially as children are known to maintain their blood pressures into adulthood
Age (OR = 1.74, p = 0.005, 95%CI = 1.186-2.566), Body Mass Index (BMI) (OR = 1.54, p = < 0.001, 95% CI = 1.249-1.913) and waist circumference (OR = 1.16, p = 0.002, 95%CI = 1.056-1.271) were significantly associated with developing hypertension when compared to being prehypertensive or normotensive
A meta-analysis of studies done by Monyeki and Kemper [18] found high prevalence rates of hypertension ranging between 7.5%-22.3% in children in Southern Africa when compared to the index study
Summary
Hypertension in childhood was not considered a problem but in the last few decades, it has gradually become a source of concern especially as children are known to maintain their blood pressures into adulthood. The Fourth Report of the Task Force on Blood Pressure Control in Children commissioned by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) has introduced a new category of elevated blood pressure called prehypertension. This condition is diagnosed when a childs average BP exceeds the 90th percentile but is less than the 95th percentile for age, sex and height. This study was undertaken to assess the prevalence of hypertension and prehypertension among children in Uyo and to determine the relationship, if any, between childhood hypertension and certain factors such as age, gender, socioeconomic status and family history of hypertension
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