
My child, who is 7 years old, weighs 45 kgs. His blood pressure when recorded last was 130/85 mm/ag. Is my child hypertensive? Is there something to be concerned about? 8212;Anjana Tyagi
DR SANJEEV BAGAI, Sr Consultant, Paediatrics,
Rockland Hospital, says:
Your child is distinctly overweight for his age. We need more accurate assessment with regard his body indices. This blood pressure recording is high and could be related to weight and nutrition. A detailed physical and nutritional assessment of your child is necessary. The blood pressure too, needs assessment with specific blood and renal imaging tests once a metabolic or hormonal cause has been ruled out.
For children, renal hypertension is the most common cause for high blood pressure, which is very often underdiagnosed.