Ivana Trutin, Matea Crnković, Tatjana Lesar, Bernardica Valent Morić
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Arterial hypertension and obesity in children are constantly increasing and are interrelated. There are studies that show differences in the characteristics of ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) in terms of adverse findings in normotensive children depending on body mass index (BMI), which increases cardiovascular risk.
Aim: To analyze whether there are differences in the features of ABPM depending on the BMI in children and adolescents diagnosed with essential hypertension.
Materials and methods: We retrospectively analyzed 132 hypertensive patients aged 10 to 18; divided into three groups according to BMI; in those with normal weight (BMI <85.c. for age and sex), overweight (BMI 85-95.c. for age and gender) and obese (ITM≥95.c . for age and gender). Everyone has gone through ABPM and the clinical characteristics of examinees has been analysed. For statistical analysis the F-test of the equality of the variances and T-test of two samples of unequal
variances are used. For all the results statistical signifi cance was defi ned as p <0.05. All the data were analyzed using Excel 2010.
Results: It is not found statistically signifi cant difference in the average values of systole and diastole, in the average values of diastole and systole during daytime and night, in the pressure of the pulse, in the average value of the pulse within 24 hours as well as in the percentage of non-dipping(eng. Non dipper) pattern depending on the BMI.
Conclusion: The results show no statistically signifi cant differences in the parameters measured by ABPM in children and adolescents with essential hypertension, suggesting a possible combined effect of genetic, environmental factors and obesity on blood pressure in children and adolescents with essential hypertension. We recommend non-pharmacological treatments in the prevention as well as in the treatment of hypertension in children and adolescents, including eating habits and lifestyle.
Key words: essential hypertension, obesity, ambulatory blood pressure monitoring