Defining and Diagnosing Elevated Blood Pressure in Children and Adolescents

Pediatric hypertension is one of the top ten chronic diseases of children and adolescents, affecting millions of children and adolescents across the USA. The majority of pediatric hypertension and elevated blood pressures in the pediatric population are under recognized and underdiagnosed. Here, we review the current definitions of elevated blood pressure and hypertension in the pediatric population. We also review and discuss approaches and tools to assistant in the recognition of elevated blood pressures and outstanding issues related to blood pressure definitions and diagnoses. Improved understanding of the definition of elevated blood pressures and hypertension in the pediatric population, as well as techniques to improve their recognition are critical to identify and then manage this important pediatric disease. © 2016, Springer Science+Business Media New York.