Treatment of arterial hypertension in children

Hypertension in children is divided in 2 groups: primary hypertension and the secondary forms which are more severe and mostly due to kidney diseases. The medical management of hypertension includes non pharmacological intervention (diet, exercise, life-style) and pharmacological agents. The children with primary and mild hypertension may need only non pharmacological strategies. The main pharmacological agents used are: diuretics, vasodilators, sympathetic blockers, centrally acting agents, converting enzyme inhibitors. Except for hypertensive emergencies, the management of children with hypertension is facilitated by a stepped-care titration approach. Step 1: beta adrenergic blockers or vaso-dilators; step 2: combine beta adrenergic blockers with vaso-dilators or with diuretics or converting enzyme inhibitors alone; step 3: combine converting enzyme inhibitors with vaso-dilators and/or diuretics and/or beta adrenergic blockers; step 4: drugs include minoxidil, prazosin, labetalol.