The number of children with hypertension is rising

New research indicates that the global prevalence of high blood pressure among children and adolescents nearly doubled between 2000 and 2020, with obesity identified as a potential driver of this increase, Reuters reports.

In 2000, approximately 3.2% of children had hypertension. By 2020, the prevalence increased to over 6.2% among children and adolescents under the age of 19, affecting 114 million young people worldwide, according to data from a report in The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health. The study also found that an additional 8.2% of children and adolescents have blood pressure levels higher than normal, though they do not yet meet the criteria for hypertension.

Obesity may be a significant driver for the increase in pediatric hypertension, the data shows. Nearly 19% of children and adolescents with obesity had hypertension, compared to less than 3% of children and adolescents considered to be at a healthy weight. Obesity can also cause other health issues such as insulin resistance and changes in blood vessels that make it difficult to maintain blood pressure within healthy limits, the authors note.

Reviewing data from 96 studies covering more than 443,000 children in 21 countries, researchers found that the method by which blood pressure is measured in children and adolescents can influence prevalence estimates. When hypertension is confirmed by a medical professional during at least three office visits, the prevalence is estimated at approximately 4.3%. However, when out-of-office assessments are included, such as home blood pressure monitoring, the prevalence of sustained hypertension rises to approximately 6.7%.

The study highlights that conditions such as masked hypertension, where the condition is not detected during routine check-ups, affect nearly 9.2% of children and adolescents worldwide, indicating potential underdiagnosis. Conversely, the prevalence of “white coat hypertension”—where blood pressure is elevated only in the presence of a medical professional but is normal at home—is estimated at 5.2%, suggesting that a significant portion of children may be misclassified, the researchers say.